Heathfield & Westholme
Location/Address
The Firs, Bowdon, Altrincham WA14 2TE
Type
Description
The houses are marked 'La Plata Villa' on the Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 1:2500 map of 1877.
A pair of semi-detached villas in a substantial built form of three storeys (the third partly within the roof) plus basement set within large gardens to front, sides and rear. Looking from The Firs, Heathfield is on the right and Westholm is on the left. An OS plan from the 1870’s shows the original plan form and within curtilage layout showing each house having a drive from The Firs to a forecourt at their sides where the front doors remain located. There are what appear to be matching small enclosed rear yards to each property.
The properties would appear to have undergone conversion to apartments with new similar rear extensions (basement and ground floor) in the location of what appeared to be the enclosed yards. A number of the remaining original openings on the rear elevation (particularly on Heathfield) have been altered to accommodate longer door openings. The extensions and other works appear reasonably sympathetic especially in the choice of materials. Otherwise, externally at least, the buildings appear to have remained largely intact in terms of the original form and appearance including original features and finishes.
Other than the loss of the rear external yard and a recent detached garage structure the grounds of Westholm retain their original overall layout although the rear garden area is now a simplified lawned area rather than the more elaborate layout shown on the 1870’s OS map. The same is the case for the garden of Heathfield except that the rear garden area has been significantly compromised by the recent development of ‘Florence Villas’.
The front boundary wall to The Firs is an original stone wall (augmented with mature hedge and tree planting) and with surviving dressed stone gate piers to both properties. There may be other original/historic boundary structures such as that at the rear between the two properties.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Building
Date Listed
24 Jul 2023
Last Updated
19 Jun 2023
Find Out More
Find out more about this Asset in Greater Manchester Local Heritage List:
https://local-heritage-list.org.uk/greater-manchester/asset/6244
https://local-heritage-list.org.uk/greater-manchester/asset/6244