Vandersanden Cayenne Bricks please the planners

The Sutton cum Lound Neighbourhood Plan states that residential development should ‘use a locally inspired range of materials to ensure a narrow colour palette is utilised in keeping with the character of the surrounding properties’. Reflecting the local vernacular in this way, including the use of Vandersanden’s Cayenne bricks, has helped Eclipse Projects and Design realise its scheme for nine new houses in the village.

The small rural community on the outskirts of Retford, Nottinghamshire, sits next to the Idle Valley Nature Reserve, the second largest wetland nature reserve in the UK. The new scheme of detached, five-bedroom family homes occupies two former greenfield sites on Mattersey Road and Lound Low Road, at the edge of the village.

Shaun Gladwin, owner of Eclipse Projects and Design, comments: “We wanted the properties to maintain the rural feel and be similar in terms of style and colour to the existing properties in the village.

“We did build one of the dwellings with another facing brick as we initially thought about adding a bit of a mix of brick types to the different properties. However, due to favourable comments and how much people admired the Vandersanden Cayenne, we decided to use it throughout the rest of the development.”

Eclipse Projects and Design is a small, well established firm of builders based originally in Rotherham but Shaun is making one of the new properties his home and office. He was keen that it should have a modern agricultural look with glass and cladding but the local planning department initially refused permission.

Shaun applied again with a similar design, but this time using the Vandersanden Cayenne facings, and the application was approved.

‘The brick does look so much better’

He adds: “It’s the only time I’ve agreed with the planners; the brick does look so much better.”

Shaun discovered Vandersanden bricks when he saw them used on another local site. Through James Burrell Builders Merchants in Rotherham, he requested various brick samples from Vandersanden and eventually decided on the Cayenne. The Cayenne stock facing bricks are red-white multi-coloured and have a sanded-coated and creased structure.

For the Sutton cum Lound scheme the bricks are bedded in a naturally coloured ready mix mortar and complement the pantile roofs of the homes. At the eaves and verges, a dentil course detail adds further interest.

The scheme was shortlisted in the LABC regional awards and the completed properties are selling with very little marketing.

Shaun comments: “The Vandersanden bricks have a lot of character with an interesting texture and colour; the service has also been good. Comments from people viewing and purchasing the homes regarding the brick colour and finish have all been positive.”

For more information visit the Vandersanden website.

To read about Vandersanden bricks featuring at the University of London, click here.

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