30 Mar 2017

Punched face stone blocks prove perfect for stable block-style home in Bramley

As former owner of the white iconic Mini Cooper S from classic heist movie The Italian Job, the last place you’d expect Bramley-based Electrical Engineer Mike Dodsworth to be living is a former police station.

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Mike, who runs Dodsworth Electrical, has lived in what was Bramley’s police station on Upper Town Street since the late 80s and is now planning his forthcoming getaway to a new build stable block-style home and office that’s taking shape on land adjacent to his current home overlooking Bramley Park.

The Georgian-style Grade II Listed police station, which was in operation from 1845 up until the 1960s, was extended in 2004 in memory of Mike’s wife Yvonne who died from breast cancer in 2002 aged just 38. A dedication stone to Yvonne sits above the doorway marking Yvonne’s provenance to the building for generations to come.

Distinctive stone

That 2004 extension utilised the distinctive and hardy Bramley Fall stone and Mike has chosen the same materials for the new-build, sourced from Mone Brothers’ Blackhill Quarry in north Leeds.

It’s easy to see why. The eye-catching sandy coloured blocks perfectly complement the Georgian look and feel of the former police station, complete with original jail cell windows and traditional lantern which sits aside the front doorway.

Mike explained: “Mone Brothers’ punched face stone blocks and expertly carved masonry fit together like the red, white and blue Minis from The Italian Job!

“When a large housing development blocked out my view of the park I looked at my options. I never really considered moving as I’ve been happy here in Bramley – the area has perfect commuter links and amenities. More importantly, the former police station has been our family home for almost 30 years.

“Being a proud west Leeds lad, I looked at using my existing available land and applied for planning permission. Leeds City Council had no reservations about the building design itself, however concerns were raised about tree canopy overhangs from the adjacent park, which threatened to kaibosh the project. A rather stormy night put those concerns to bed!” he added.

Significant addition

Following a four-year struggle with Leeds City Council, planning permission was eventually granted on appeal.

The appeal inspector dismissed the council’s concerns commenting: “I have special regard for the design, placement and chosen materials for the building,” adding that the new building would be a “significant addition to the street scene on Upper Town Street and the wider conservation area”. Work eventually started in February 2016 on the two-storey 180m2 construction that features two garages, an office and first floor accommodation that will become Mike’s future home.

Mike went on: “One of the garages will be home to my prized red Monte Carlo Rally Mark 1 Mini Cooper S. I even considered putting a glazed ceiling above so I could keep an eye on her while watching my favourite movie, you guessed it, The Italian Job!”

Mike’s white Cooper S from the iconic film was sold to a private collector in Ohio in 2001 while Yvonne battled with breast cancer.

Bringing ideas to life

Mike continued: “The build process has been an exciting adventure that I would recommend to anyone that is embarking on their own ‘Grand Designs’ project. I’ve been lucky in the sense that I’ve found the perfect supplier of building materials in Mone Brothers, an ambitious and innovative contractor in Nest Egg Developments and two very talented CAD designers in Harrogate-based Kate Lindsay and John Hall from Leeds-based CadVentures who were able to bring my own sketches and ideas to life.

“There were multiple challenges associated with the construction, not least the careful movement of eight tons of heavy, sawn-stone coping stones up to the roof level. Over 300 tons of stone was used on the building including 25 tons of beautiful granite sets reclaimed from a recent refurb of Leeds Markets in the city centre sourced by Kevin Mone.

“I visited Blackhill Quarry, an important source of Bramley Fall stone, to meet with Kevin Mone to discuss the project using the sketches and designs I’d made. He offered a tremendous amount of help and advice and has continued to provide his support throughout the construction phase. “Kevin has supplied the punched faced stone and detailed sawn masonry, keeping costs manageable but at the same time manufacturing and supplying a superb matching stone. They’ve proved a reliable and trustworthy partner whom I would recommend to anyone embarking on a similar project,” he added.

A Mini getaway

Kevin Mone commented: “Bramley Fall stone is a very attractive and unique type of stone sourced originally from a nearby quarry known locally as Bramley Fall Park. The same stone belt stretches north to Mone Brothers’ Blackhill Quarry in Bramhope. The hardy punch faced grit stone has been used on many of the UK’s most iconic buildings including the Houses of Parliament and, much closer to home, Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds.” Mike’s new building features three spectacular stone arches and large sunburst windows at the front. It has windows facing north, east, south and west with light cascading in from all directions that transforms the internal feel of the building while maintaining a period-style character. “It will be a great place to work and live,” concluded Mike who has aptly called the new building Compass House. With his new home ready, now’s the perfect time for Mini mad Mike to plot his perfect getaway and escape the former police station that’s been his home for almost 30 years!

Further information....

Mone Brothers in Profile

The business was founded in 1965 in Gildersome by brothers Phil, James and John Mone and specialised in the maintenance and repair of plant equipment. The company is now headquartered in nearby Morley with additional sites at Eggborough near Selby, Bramhope and New Farnley in Leeds.

Over the past five decades, the company has diversified into quarrying, recycling and plant and wagon hire. Supplying a wide range of products to both trade and retail, Mone Brothers has contributed towards many significant UK construction and civil engineering projects and was involved in recycling rubble from the old Yorkshire Post building for use as Type 1 on roads across Yorkshire.

The business is still very much a family concern with John and James at the helm and the next generation, Kevin and Phil Mone, also on the board of directors together with Operations Director Steve Horsley and Financial Director Andrew Slater. John Mone explained: “We’ve come a long way since 1965 with the business expanding to where it is now with over 70 staff and an established reputation with major contractors, building firms and homeowners across the Yorkshire region.

“As a business we’ve gradually diversified over the decades into earthmoving, civil engineering, contracting, quarrying, aggregate recycling and retail for gardening and landscaping purposes.”

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