PEOPLE are being invited to bid for nine “extraordinary” properties which have been created within the historic Smithills Coaching House site.

Developer Jones Homes has announced that work to restore the 17th Century Grade II listed coach house and stables and transform it into a collection of two, three and four bedroom lodges has been completed.

The firm is now inviting anyone interested in buying the properties to enter into a sealed bid process — and guide prices for the different properties range from £315,000 to £600,000.

Click on the picture below to have a look inside the properties 

The Bolton News: Smithills 3

 

Jones Homes said that due to “unprecedented demand” and “extremely high levels of interest” viewings for the properties will be by strictly by appointment only.

The properties are based within the iconic Smithills Coaching House building and are positioned around a courtyard area.

As well as ranging in terms of bedroom numbers, there is also a variety of bathrooms — with one of the more expensive lodges boasting four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Each property also comes with a garage, the majority having space for two vehicles.

Located in the Smithills Country Park and surrounded by 2000 acres of Moorland, Jones Homes said it has blended “old world charm” such as exposed stonework, with “contemporary fixtures” to create a collection of “elegant and prestigious properties.”

Planning permission for the project was granted by Bolton Council back in 2012. Planning bosses believed the Jones scheme was the best way to restore the historic building which was derelict at the time.

The proposals were met with strong opposition from heritage campaigners and local residents who felt the building should be developed for a different use.

There was also — and continues to be — strong opposition to a second plan from Jones Homes to build a development of more than 20 houses on Green Belt land near to the coaching house, which it says is needed to fund the conversion of the historic building.

Dealing with a Grade II listed building meant the developer was obliged to carry out a “careful and sympathetic” restoration — something it says has been done successfully.

Gary Hardy, managing director at Jones Homes said: “Smithills Coaching House is an extraordinary development, unlike any other, and the nine beautifully restored lodges are superb homes — which each boast a rich history dating back to the 17th Century.

“With Smithills Hall and Country Park just metres from the front door, the development enjoys an incredible setting."

Speaking about the interest in the development, he added: “Naturally the demand for the lodges at Smithills Coaching House is unprecedented, with homebuyers keen to purchase a once in a lifetime property, filled with history and style and with a splendid location, so we have decided that offers will only be received by sealed bid to ensure fairness.”

Smithills Councillor Roger Hayes remains steadfastly against proposals to build in the Green Belt, but is happy with the coaching house development.

He said: “I would rather it had been sold for an ongoing use like a restaurant but I think they have done a pretty good job and I am sure they will make a very nice place for people to live.”

He added: “The real tragedy is the building taking place in the Green Belt — it is destroying the natural beauty of the area and sets a very dangerous precedent.”

To book an appointment to view the lodges at Smithills Coaching House and for further details on the bid process, visit www.jones-homes.co.uk.

 

How the development took place

IN December 2012, Bolton Council’s planning committee gave the green light to plans by Jones Homes to turn the Grade II listed coaching house into eight homes.

Opponents to the scheme suggested there were alternative options for the iconic building and claimed other parties would have stepped in to preserve the building for a use other than housing.

Nonetheless, council chiefs felt the Jones Homes plan was the best way to save the then derelict building.

The plan still required the approval of former Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who shortly afterwards said he would not interfere.

As part of the application, permission was also given to build a further 21 houses on protected Green Belt land surrounding the site.

It was particularly this aspect of the application that prompted anger from local residents, councillors and heritage activists who believed the added houses would detract from the overall beauty of the Smithills estate and would set a dangerous precedent for developing other areas of the Green Belt.

Jones Homes has always argued that it needs to build the extra houses as an ‘enabling development’ which will fund the costly job of converting the Grade II listed coaching house.

Workmen moved on to the site the next year to begin construction and Jones Homes were later given permission to change the coaching house plan and increase the number of lodgings from eight to nine.

Then last summer, the developer brought a new application forward concerning the proposal for extra houses in the Green Belt — which stemmed from the firm predicting they would make a loss of more than £240,000 on the overall Smithills project because of the expensive coaching house restoration job.

The plans involved building two more houses on the site — increasing the enabling development from 21 to 23 properties — as well as making five of the planned two-storey houses into three-storey houses as well as putting extra rooms in the roof of another.

While the coaching house development is now complete and set to go on the market, work is continuing on the 21 house project in the surrounding area.

The Bolton News understands the revised proposals could change again and local councillors are being consulted for their views.