Countryside Properties restores Stoke-on-Trent's legacy at Lock 38

Today's Stoke-on-Trent skyline is a far cry from the sea of smoky bottle kilns that decorated the city in the early 1900s. Committed to maintaining the famous heritage that the Potters are proud of, Countryside Properties is restoring the famous Twyfords factory, at the heart of its Lock 38 development in Cliffe Vale.

Having already preserved two Grade II listed bottle kilns on the site of the old Twyfords Pottery factory, now home to residential development Lock 38, the construction team at Countryside Properties are preparing to put the final touches of restoration to the original frontage of the Twyfords factory building and in the process have earned themselves a nomination for the Local Authorities Building Control Awards for the large build category in 2008.

Placed as the stately fascia of Lock 38, this final phase is to be aptly named Twyford Court. The renovation of the factory will see the Grade II listed building reinstated to its former splendour that dates back to the potters' ancestry.

The extensive eight month renovation process has seen Countryside Properties' construction team carefully dismantle the old factory. Countryside Properties is reassembling Twyford Court to embody a traditional resemblance of the former factory, with the grand gate entrance through which potters journeyed into work all those centuries ago.

Working closely with English Heritage and Stoke City Council, the team at Countryside Properties aimed to create a building akin to the former factory, right down to the very last detail.

Timber window frames add to the authenticity of the construction enhanced by modern building standards. Bricks from the old factory were taken away, cleaned and restacked to ensure the most genuine materials were used to construct Twyford Court. Excess bricks from a nearby canal wall were also used, ensuring resources were all recycled.

Every element of this restoration looks to preserve the individual features of the former factory. Old lift wheels have been salvaged to create a monumental feature in the centre of a communal resident's courtyard, enclosed by the factory buildings. With old granite sets used as feature walkways surrounding the restored bottle kilns, Lock 38 is a true testament to the Potters of Stoke-on-Trent.

Potteries Heritage Historian, Fred Hughes commented: "I am so impressed with the work that Countryside Properties are doing, preserving our city's historical roots by converting our old industry into living space; this is the future of Stoke-on-Trent. Lock 38 fits in with the landscape in which it's placed and with the canal so close I'm certain this will be a lovely place for people to live."

Fred added: "I do like the way that Countryside Properties has retained the entire Twyfords original frontage. The Twyfords building is one of the first sites you see as you come into the city and it has been restored with a lot of thought and affectionate detail. It provides an authentic gateway into the city, proudly showing off the potteries legacy. It would be good to see other developers following by example and incorporating heritage with modern aspirations."

Comprising a range of contemporary one and two bedroom apartments, Twyford Court is due for completion in September of this year. Located adjacent to the picturesque Trent and Mersey Canal, which runs along side the impressive development, it adds a further 51 to the 147 one and two bedroom apartments at Lock 38.

Countryside Properties' regional sales director, Martin Leggett commented: "This has been an incredible challenge for us, one we wanted to complete to perfection. In building Lock 38 on the site of the old Twyfords factory it was important to Countryside Properties to help restore the site's history and build quality homes respectful of the surrounding environment and local heritage. We recognise the historical importance of the Grade II factory to Stoke-on-Trent and its restoration forms part of our commitment to sustainable regeneration."

Located off Shelton New Road in Cliff Vale, at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, Lock 38 is perfectly situated with road, rail and city centre transport links with the M6 only minutes away making this a perfect residence for the commuter.

For further information visit Lock38.co.uk.