This bespoke, luxurious new-build property near Holmesfield combines natural materials with modern construction techniques and state-of-the-art eco sustainability.
Spectacular walls of glass look out over picturesque rural views to the south, and flood the open-plan, four-bedroomed property with light.
A steel and timber frame and SIP panel construction method combines with salvaged old Derbyshire stone, its honeyed tones contrasting with a natural slate roof.
The property is as high on energy-efficiency as it is on aesthetics: eco features include a ground-source heat pump, high thermal performance glazing and SIP panel walls which provide exceptional structural strength, superior energy efficiency and a faster, more precise and airtight construction process.
The property was created for a local couple who had built their own family home ten years previously, a lengthy and complicated experience which had left them vowing: Never again.
But after a fruitless search to find the perfect home for their next stage in life as empty-nesters, Claire and Andy found the wrong house in the ideal location in 2019 and came to HKA with their vision for replacing the three-bedroomed 19th century farmhouse and land.
Built for practicality, the farmhouse had been uninhabited for several years and was in a dilapidated state, with a later extension held up by Acro props.
But the location was rural yet close to amenities, there were attached 17th century barns, an assortment of outbuildings and glorious views.
Pre-purchase, the couple had consulted planning expert Charlotte at Stainton Planning in Chesterfield, who had been a trusted advisor during their first self-build in 2009.
Charlotte had given them sound, realistic advice on their desire to knock down the farm house and rebuild a larger house. She explained the planning process would be complex and the right architectural practice was important. She recommended HK Architecture in Chesterfield, whose MD, Alistair Haxton, she trusted and enjoyed working with.
CLIENT CLAIRE:
“We did as Charlotte advised and immediately felt Alistair was the right person. He loved our plans – we wanted big open plan living spaces plus a cosy room with a real fire, lots of glass to bring light in, a balcony on the master bedroom and a huge dressing room. He was full of enthusiasm and his own ideas, but he didn’t oversell or make sweeping promises and we liked that approach.
I tend to make swift and accurate judgments about people and I would describe Alistair as a gentleman. His whole demeanor is calm, professional, patient and trustworthy. And that’s exactly how he was throughout the year-long process of gaining planning permission from North East Derbyshire Council, and the 18-month construction project, which had begun just two weeks before the UK’s first pandemic lockdown.
In construction disputes, he gained our respect. He would be in the middle, calmly sorting it out. If I was wrong, he would suggest that to me and explain. Conversely, he always fought my corner when I was right and someone else was wrong.
Gaining planning permission was very complex and lots of adaptations had to be made. Building a house during a pandemic was challenging to say the least. The supply of materials was a big issue and the costs went up and lockdowns caused delays.But at times, the delays gave us the chance to plan exactly what space we needed for furniture and increase the spec. We added a sunken circular wine cellar just outside the kitchen, one of Andy’s favourite features.
But, as with childbirth, you forget the pain. We moved into the house in September 2021 and it is everything we wanted it to be, thanks to Chris Burley’s construction team at Creative Building Projects, Alistair at HK Architecture and Charlotte at Stainton Planning.
Using the original Derbyshire stone from the farmhouse and extensive glass was the right decision and the interiors have the perfect flow – Alistair was very helpful with colours and interiors ideas.
The house works so well for us. The kitchen and dining areas open onto the patio and those views; this is mainly where we live from April to October.
The cosy room with a real fireplace – which we felt reflected the original house’s heart – is our winter haven.
We had permission for five bedrooms, but instead created four plus a big, walk-in dressing room which was a must for us and gives the house yet another wow factor. We have everything we wanted – and we are never moving from here!”
ALISTAIR AT HKA:
“The site had once been a working farm and was classed as commercial use, but there was very little planning history, and in such a rural setting, Stainton Planning and HKA knew that obtaining permission to knock down existing buildings and build a much larger house would be difficult to achieve.
Obtaining information from the son of the farmhouse’s deceased owners verifying that the attached barns had been used for ancillary domestic purposes proved helpful.
After in-depth consultation with the council planning department, we created a design for the house plus a garage and prepared an application, but withdrew it when, later, planners voiced concern over the building’s size. A refusal would have been difficult to pull back from and could have devalued our clients’ site.
We made revisions, creating a slightly reduced footprint and differing roof levels. The application was still met with some negativity, but we were able to prove that the proposal was in keeping with the surrounding area and gained approval to all but the garage build.
A bat survey was needed and a bat specialist was required to be onsite during careful dismantling of the farmhouse roof.
We started on site in 2020 and within weeks, the Covid pandemic lockdown introduced strict site restrictions. Consultants, contractors and the clients staged virtual meetings to find ways forward.
As restrictions eased, work was able to progress well. But overcoming issues sourcing materials, and co-ordination, was a complex team and client effort.
Unprecedented rainfall waterlogged the site – another hurdle to cross – and the build had to go through numerous cost reviews.
The entire team was proud of what had been achieved, against so many odds, for Claire and Andy
Later, the clients wanted to build a garage and outdoor dining area with entertaining space, which we were also able to obtain planning approval for, and coordinate the build.
