Wighton Architects Ltd

A big thank you to for the photos of a scheme we have recently completed for a great family on the outskirts of Keighley. This was not to be any standard house as it was designed around the very specific needs of the family and was required to be a fully wheelchair accessible dwelling....without actually looking or feeling like one!

Constraints on the site included Green Belt, its location within the curtilage of a Grade II listed farmhouse and the sloping topography to name but a few however, as we all know, often these constraints can create great opportunities!

***UPDATE***

We are aware of an advert posted on Facebook in the Philippines claiming to be from us advertising for remote workers. This is a fake advert and scam so please do not respond to it.

Thankyou

Always great to get away with the family for a well earned break. Whilst its a great time to recharge, my family, like most related to people within the architectural world, are now very used to me stopping and admiring random buildings when out and about.

On a recent trip to Lake Garda in Italy, well worth a visit, we came across the Lido Palace Hotel which was reinterpreted by in 2011. The modern extension is a bold addition to the Belle Époque style of the original yet sits seamlessly within the setting. This is helped a little by its location between the beautiful Lake Garda and the stunning mountains.

I must clarify we were not staying here, much to the disappointment of my family!

The sun is shining at last! Time to throw those curtains wide and let the outside in and the inside out!

Another Part Q barn conversion submitted on the outskirts of York. Submitted just before the recent changes in policy the scheme looks to create a 4 bed dwelling from an existing agricultural barn located on the outskirts of York. The large openings and large sliding doors are proposed to be retained to maximise the views out over the surrounding landscape.

If you are planning a project please feel free to give us a call to see how we can help you realise your dream build!

Really looking forward to seeing works progress on a full house refurb we are involved with alongside luxury interior designer . Full planning achieved within a conservation area for an enlarged basement and new second floor which will create a stunning 5 bed townhouse over 4 floors. The basement has already been excavated with works due for completion by the end of the year.

P L A N N I N G
A P P R O V A L

Great to finally get formal planning approval for six new contemporary barns to replace a number of dilapidated barns and sheds. It's taken a good few months to get there but a great result for our client and all the design team involved. An initial Part Q approval was gained for 5 dwellings however following a thorough design review we have been able to gain approval for 6 new build dwellings providing a mixture of sizes across the site. Whilst the proposals look to retain the 'agricultural / rural' feel, as new build dwellings they will be able to meet the highest standards regards sustainability within a significantly improved biodiversity setting.

Great to have had a couple of our recent completed projects featured in The Yorkshire Post property supplement at the weekend. The feature focused on listed properties and how they can be extended in line with local and national policies.

If you've got a project you require assistance on we would be delighted to see if we can assist.

Thankfully the windy weather of late has disappeared as I'm not sure the timber frame barn will survive much longer!

The Grade II listed barn has been stripped back ready for a new plinth and base to be constructed before being tied back into the original timber frame. Currently propped on some blocks and framed by scaffolding the barn is being converted into a 3 bed dwelling as part of a courtyard of seven barns. The proposals look to expose the timber internally which will look amazing when finished.

The timber roof structure has also been exposed, with missing timbers replaced, to the main house creating some fantastic truss detailing.

The weather wasn't great but good to get some drone shots of one of our current schemes that is making good progress on site. After a lengthy planning process work is going well with some great traditional trades on site. The site includes;

- Refurbishment and extension of a Grade II* listed hall into a dwelling
- Conversion of Grade II listed barns into 7 dwellings
- The restoration of a SAM moat, grounds and follys
- The creation of 3 new build dwellings as part of enabling development
- Located in Green Belt

Slates are going on the new cart / parking lodges for the barns, screed being poured on the new builds and the internal lime plaster drying out in the main hall hence the heat pump temporarily positioned to the front!

Working closely with a quality local developer we were able, through a detailed appraisal and design process, to improve values across the site not only through the sympathetic extension and conversion of the existing historic buildings but also through the new build enabling development.

Initial options for the extension of a Grade II listed thatched cottage are taking shape. The form looks to take its cue from the thatched roof with the levels aligned with the eaves to create an extension that respects the host dwelling whilst creating the additional space required.

The site, set in Green Belt land, looks to consolidate an array of existing buildings on the site creating a cohesive strategy with the ultimate aim of delivering a contemporary extension to the existing cottage along with a separate cart barn containing ancillary accommodation and the rebuilding of a derelict barn.

Let us know your thoughts!

Currently working up proposals for the extension of this classic Grade II listed thatched cottage

Let there be LIGHT!

Great to see so many festive lights and always impressed with the time, effort and thought that goes into them at this time of year.

Lighting and light fittings also play a really important part in the feel of a house so it's crucial that it is thought about at the very start of a project so they can be considered with the build.

Be it task lighting, statement lighting or background mood lighting it needs to be considered early in the process as part of a holistic approach to the design of your property.

W I N N E R!

Great to hear that The Lake House was a winner at this years' Evening Standards New Homes Awards 2023.

Designed to cantilever over the lake the main house has a deck at water level and first floor providing access to the water and the adjacent garage and ancillary accommodation. Using oak, natural stone and zinc to the roof the materials look to anchor the building to the bank with the oak cladding and structure reflecting the traditional boat house concept and surrounding landscape.

Do you have a site or plot you want to develop or build on but have been refused planning?

We've just gained planning approval for another infill site within a conservation area for a client who had a previous scheme refused.

The client approached us looking to get a detached dwelling on a tight site close to the town centre. Located in a conservation area, with a protected tree adjacent the site and surrounded by a number of traditional properties we undertook a detailed site appraisal and planning policy review and working with the planners gained approval first time round.

Whilst we are lucky to work on many design orientated projects we also really enjoy gaining approval for sites and projects which are often heavily constrained. Through our extensive experience and creativity we have secured planning approval on many sites creating value for both developers through an increase in land values and private clients

If you have a site or project that you are trying to develop or get planning on then we'd be more than happy to undertake a review to see if we are able to assist.

✔ Green Belt
✔ Conservation Areas
✔ Listed Buildings
✔ Heritage Assets
✔ Scheduled Ancient Monuments
✔ Commercial to residential
✔ AONB
✔ Infill sites
✔ Conversions
✔ Commercial

Having gained approval for the conversion of a number of agricultural sheds via the Part Q route as a fall back position we are now finalising proposals for an amended scheme due to be submitted as part of a full planning application in the coming weeks. The proposals look to create a mix dwelling sizes and will reflect the rural setting through the use of zinc and timber cladding with a bit of Corten thrown in for good measure. Visuals are coming along nicely and hopefully will assist in gaining the support of the planners.

Great views out from the lounge of one our recently completed new build houses. Set over a lake the house has living accommodation at first floor to take advantage of the amazing views form the lounge and terrace accessed via the large format sliding doors. The oak has been continued internally to create warmth with large copper pendants adding to the simple palette of materials.

What a great feature, a well of fine wine!

A little teaser of one of our projects which has recently been completed, we're pretty happy with how it's turned out! ............ more images to follow!

Keep
it
simple

A large bespoke timber door constructed using the oak cladding with large fixed light over looks to heighten the experience when entering the large vaulted hall and living areas beyond

Refurbishment and extension:
The project entailed the full refurbishment and extension of a Georgian farmhouse set in Green Belt. A full appraisal was undertaken to establish the full potential for extending to maximise value for the client prior to undertaking a detailed design process. Traditional detailing and materials were used throughout to create a large family home which sits comfortably within the landscape.
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Extension and remodel of a Grade II listed farmhouse:
A Grade II listed farmhouse on the outskirts of Huddersfield underwent a complete renovation and extension, with planning granted for a new two-storey side extension clad in Siberian larch with a metal roof and glazed link. The extension, which contrasts with the original stone of the farmhouse, features a specially coated larch which looks to speed up the ageing process creating a soft grey finish. A glazed link to the first floor creates a clear break between old and new and provides views out across the surrounding countryside.
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Contemporary Extension to Grade II listed property in a conservation area:
Just received the final photos through for a recently completed extension and we think they’re great. Planning and Listed Building consent was granted for a modern single-storey extension linked to a Grade II listed dwelling in a conservation area in north Leeds. The extension provides additional living accommodation and seamlessly connects with the existing house via a simple glazed link, creating a kitchen and living area with lots of natural light and views into the garden. The extension is clad in burnt timber with natural ashlar stone and features high-level glazing that provides a link and views of the rear garden which is set across a rear access and at a higher level due to the sloping topography.
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Full refurbishment and extension: [Check out these before and afters]
This detached house, built in the 1940s, had started showing signs of disrepair and required a full face lift. As well as externally the interior layouts were modernised with the addition of a new detached garage and side extension. To enhance the exterior's appearance while preserving the houses original form, a new selection of exterior finishes were carefully chosen which accentuated the existing features, including the prominent large pitched gable to the front and bay windows. The incorporation of new interior and exterior finishes has not only refreshed the house's aesthetics but also enabled it to meet modern energy efficiency standards.
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Highways design the Byzantine way.

On the drawing board… We are refining our design of a basement extension for a Grade II Listed house in Yorkshire. The design works with the natural topography of the site and retains the setting of the dwelling on a raised platform whilst creating a new contemporary living area in the basement. Working with the existing layout and form of the dwelling we are looking to develop a proposal which respects the heritage asset and meets the aspirations of the client.

Glorious day for a site visit to one of our new projects. Set in rural Essex the site looks at replacing a number of large agricultural barns with a number of new contemporary dwellings

Great progress being made on site at our equestrian centre project.
The scheme is located on Green Belt land and will provide new purpose-built teaching and riding facilities for Think Like A Pony. Think Like a Pony are a local charity providing therapeutic interventions for some of the most hard to reach vulnerable children in our community.