Batsford Construction Wins Four Significant Cotswold Based Projects

Batsford Construction, a specialist builder of traditional Cotswold properties, has already won a variety of significant projects across the Cotswolds since its launch just six months ago, including several in Warwickshire villages along with Lower Slaughter and Dorn Priory in Gloucestershire.
One project currently underway is the conversion of a listed three-bay outhouse into ancillary accommodation including a library in Ilmington, Warwickshire. As a listed building with architecturally significant features, Batsford Construction was required to marry the aesthetic aims of the project with a number of practical issues, such as creating two new staircases for example to retain the integrity of a dramatic internal dovecote.
In order to replace the entire roof with Cotswold Stone slate, Batsford Construction stripped the existing roof back and has replaced the roof timbers, ensuring that the new roof would be sufficiently supported. Although still in progress, the project is on track to deliver stunning new accommodation utilising traditional materials which have been constructed by contemporary practices.
Another project due for completion in early 2007 is a sympathetic extension of a beautiful nineteenth century cottage, doubling the property in size from a two to a four bedroom family home in Ascott, Warwickshire. Having won the project via a highly competitive tender, Batsford Construction worked closely with the owner to realise the vision created by an architect, which has necessitated a great deal of lateral thinking to date.
The project utilises locally hewn Hornton Stone to create an extension which blends with the existing element of the property surroundings. The project is ahead of schedule and already looks striking, with the external stonework delivering a real showcase for the talents of Batsford Construction’s specialist team, in terms of both attention to detail and overall impact.
Batsford Construction has been commissioned to undertake a significant renovation of a listed three-storey house in the centre of Lower Slaughter. With the existing roof unsound, Batsford Construction erected a protective greenhouse to encapsulate the property and limit damage from the elements whilst the roof was removed and rebuilt in Cotswold Stone. Many other features that are new, yet sympathetic to the original listed property have been factored into this refurbishment, including a traditional oak staircase and wooden floorboards, along with a high quality kitchen space. The project will result in a property which features both the old and the new, with many traditional elements that are in keeping with the property’s listed status, both internally and externally, and a contemporary living space to offer open plan living area suitable for family life.
Finally, Batsford Construction is creating a garden room extension to significantly enhance the usable reception space of an otherwise large, listed Cotswold property in Dorn, Gloucestershire. As a listed building, Batsford Construction needed to work closely with the local planning authorities to create a design which would be agreeable to the planning officer and sympathetic to the property, yet which would achieve the aims of creating more space. The solution of creating a new porch was settled upon, with an additional external wall providing an entry area, whilst allowing the internal structure to be reconfigured to create the required reception space.
With the project now well underway, a purpose built Oak frame has been crafted to create both visual impact and a focal point to the front of the property. Batsford Construction has also been commissioned to refurbish the property’s kitchen area, which is already complete.
Edward Clarkson, Managing Director, Batsford Construction, commented:
“In addition to offering reliability, service and value for money to each customer as a matter of course, our strengths as a business are in overcoming hurdles and bringing an extremely experienced, passionate team together to create striking construction projects. With several significant jobs already underway and many more in the pipeline, it seems that our outlook and attitude have been met with some appreciation by customers around the Cotswolds.”

Email: pete@punchcomms.com