We have recently submitted a Full Planning Application to Trafford Council for the re-development of 11-13 Raglan Road, Sale, which includes the refurbishment and extension of a striking 19th Century Victorian Villa and the erection of a new three storey apartment building to the rear of the site, to create a total of 22 luxury apartments, in a variety of different sizes.

One of the key design considerations of this scheme was how to sympathetically refurbish and extend the existing non-designated heritage building, given its aesthetic value to both the street scene and the local area. Our conclusion was that the original building should be retained and restored where possible and that the numerous sub-standard late 20th Century additions be removed and replaced with a higher quality offering, in a more contemporary way. Consequently, the proposal takes cues from the buildings architectural features and materials, but does not try to recreate them.

Architectural detailing is purposely simple in order to contrast the ornate stone and timber detailing, evident on the adjacent heritage asset. The upper storeys of the proposed extension are clad with a high quality timber cladding system, stained grey and laid vertically. The use of this natural material, which will gradually soften as it ages, is intended to quietly complement its neighbour without competing with it. Natural slate roof tiles are also proposed to match the existing building, punctured only by simple standing seam zinc clad dormers to the front elevation and rooflights to the rear.