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Wednesday, 13th June 2007

Building on creative thinking

Jill Burdett


BROTHERS James and Timothy Shanks called in an architect when they bought a plot backing on to green fields at Littleborough.
 
Despite it only being their second development they knew they wanted to build two very contemporary houses on the site and were prepared to invest in the creative process.
 
Eighteen months on one of the dramatic gull-winged roof houses is finished and has been James’s home since November. It looks dramatic and works well with the front door leading to a half landing where you can go upstairs to the sleeping quarters or downstairs to the open living area, which is dominated by a vast expanse of glass looking out over nothing but green fields.

James, a quantity surveyor, said: “It was far trickier to do than a standard build and we decided not to employ the architect to project manage the job.
 
“The builder we used was not experienced in contemporary houses and with hindsight we should have built it ourselves.

“One of the most difficult things was keeping everything on budget. With modern houses like this it is difficult to source the right materials and finishes and that took a lot of time.
 
“But I have to say that the finished house is wonderful, far better than we even imagined and we are glad we did not compromise the design for speed or cost.”
 
The brothers are developers and the original idea was to sell them off-plan. However, there were no takers and they decided to live in them themselves.
 
But now James’s completed house is on the market with Savills for £525,000 – considerably less than the £600,000 was being talked about when the build started.

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Optimistic
 
That is down to several factors, not least an over optimistic valuation in 2005, but probably also the fact they stand next to a small industrial unit, although it is not a factor once inside.
 
James said: “To be honest it is only on the market because of finances. The idea was to be full-time property developers but Timothy has never given up his job as a civil engineer and I have taken a quantity surveying job to bring some money in.
 
“My preferred choice would actually be to stay living here. It’s a great spot, five minutes walk from Smithy Bridge station, where you can get a train to either Leeds or Manchester.

 “We shall see how it goes.”
 
The experience has not put them off either continuing to develop as a company Pattison Homes – or using an architect.
 
They have just acquired another site and have called in the same architect Martin Gibson from Manchester based GA Studios to help them design a pair of semi-detached houses.
 
James said: “These will be more mainstream but after working with Martin on these houses we know that even within a more conservative exterior an architect can make a difference.
 
“Maybe we could have built and sold quicker if we had built two ‘standard’ houses at Eafield, but we are still proud to have built something no-one else has – two houses that use the site well and are built for today – not a replica of something from Georgian times.”

For more information call Savills, Wilmslow on 01625 417450.