Towcester's mix of old and new
Towcester grew up along Watling Street, the old Roman road that still forms its main street. The historic core is protected as a conservation area, with stone and brick frontages, coaching inns and narrow plots running back from the road. Around the edges of the town, newer estates have added a large number of family homes with modest gardens and driveways laid out by the developer.
Those two settings ask very different things of a builder. In the centre, the priority is respecting the character of the street and working within tight access. On the newer estates, homeowners usually want more living space, a garden that drains properly and somewhere sensible to park. Superior Build & Landscape covers both, and Towcester is one of the four towns named in our service area.
Extending period houses and newer homes
On an older Towcester property, an extension has to sit comfortably beside walls that may be stone, soft handmade brick or a mix of both. Choosing materials that weather in a similar way matters more than an exact match on day one. Roof pitch, window proportions and the way the new wall meets the old are the details that decide whether an extension looks like it belongs.
Homes inside the conservation area can face extra controls, and some changes that would be permitted elsewhere need consent here. Newer houses are often simpler to extend, though some estates carry planning conditions that restrict permitted development. Our guide to extension planning permission explains the general rules, and Towcester applications go to West Northamptonshire Council.
If you are still weighing up the budget, our guide to house extension costs sets out what pushes a price up or down before you ask for quotes. You can also read more about how we approach home extensions.
Gardens on new-build plots
A garden handed over with a new house is often little more than a strip of turf on compacted ground, a few small slabs by the back door and a fence. Rain sits on the surface, the lawn struggles and there is nowhere comfortable to put a table. A full garden renovation starts by fixing the ground: digging out rubble, improving drainage and setting levels, so the patio, paths and lawn that follow last.
Most families want a patio big enough to eat outside, a lawn the children can use and some storage tucked out of sight. On a smaller plot, a single well-placed paved area with a low brick wall or planter can do more than several fussy features. We plan the layout around sun, privacy and how you move between the house and garden.
Driveways and parking
Parking is a frequent request on the estates, where a second car often ends up on the road. Turning part of a front lawn into hardstanding is common, but the new surface needs to drain into the ground, and a new crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highways authority. We set out the edges, levels and drainage so the drive and any remaining planting look planned rather than squeezed in, and our driveways page explains the work in more detail.
How George runs a job
George Halliwell owns Superior Build & Landscape and is your point of contact from the first visit. He comes to look at the property, listens to what you want, checks access and explains the likely order of work before a quote is prepared. Once a job starts, the aim is a tidy site, clear communication about what is happening each week and protection for the parts of the house and garden that are staying.
We have been trading for 11 years, hold public liability insurance and back our work with a 10-year guarantee. Phone lines are open from 8am to 6pm, and you can also reach us by email. Our areas page lists the other towns we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work in Towcester and the nearby villages?
Yes. Towcester is one of our main service areas, and we cover homes within roughly 30 miles of our NN6 0SD base, including surrounding villages.
Can you extend a house in a conservation area?
Often, yes, but extra controls usually apply and some work needs consent that would not be needed elsewhere. West Northamptonshire Council can confirm what applies to your property before work is planned.
Do you renovate new-build gardens?
Yes. We can clear poor ground, improve drainage, set new levels and lay patios, paths and lawns as part of a full garden renovation.
Who will I deal with on site?
George Halliwell, the owner, is your main contact from the first visit through to the finished job.
How do I get a quote?
Call 07581 480692 between 8am and 6pm, email Superiorbandl@gmail.com or use our contact form, and George will arrange to see the property.