Client: Roe Developments
Architect: Mitchell & Proctor
Type of works: guttering and drainage system supplied from Brett Martin Building Products’ Cast Iron Style range to recreate traditional appeal in a new-build project situated in Bakewell, in the Peak District National Park.

Brett Martin Building Products, which specialises in drainage systems, has developed a Cast Iron Style range of rainwater and complementary soil systems made from PVC, but with all the traditional features of classic cast-iron guttering. The range includes a choice of six hoppers to complete the look and achieve the desired period characteristics. The aesthetic appeal of the system, combined with the ease of installation and cost benefits, made this the ideal choice for the rainwater system of Roe Developments’ Bakewell project.

As it is a conservation area, the planning process for a house anywhere in the Peak District National Park requires special consideration to protect the natural beauty and characteristics of the area.

Roe Developments required approval from the local planning authority and Conservation Officer for the Peak National Park before the Cast Iron Style range could be specified for the site. Consideration of the age and style of the surrounding buildings in Bakewell was a major factor in the choice of any new materials used.

Architect Steve Haslam, from Mitchell & Proctor, designed the house in Bakewell, Derbyshire in sympathy with the style of the surrounding properties. ‘The original specification set out for this build was a traditional cast iron guttering system’, says Steve. With the obvious cost implications of this, coupled with time and installation pressures, the team began to look for suitable alternatives.

A key benefit of Brett Martin’s Cast Iron Style system is that costs are kept down because it is a much less expensive product than real cast iron and the lightweight compound material makes installation easier and more cost effective. It is safer to work with, especially for contractors working at height, while external fixtures allow for quicker installation with simple access for power tools.

The PVC used for Brett Martin’s Cast Iron Style range is UV stabilised, so it will not rust or corrode over time, ensuring long-lasting appearance retention. This is also underwritten by a 10 year product warranty.

The range also allows for greater choice in domestic applications with three different design options.

With these benefits, the Cast Iron Style range from Brett Martin Building Products is more desirable to anyone looking to maintain the traditional look and feel of a cast-iron system, but with a need to keep an eye on cost.

Brett Martin Building Products has paid special attention to the aesthetics of the Cast Iron Style range, to make it as realistic as possible. Brett Martin has also retained all of the usual features and authentic detailing normally associated with an old cast-iron guttering system.

For Roe Developments, aesthetics were particularly relevant considering the style of many of the buildings in the local Bakewell area. The Roundstyle Cast Iron Style system Roe Developments used not only provides the authentic detailing required, it also blends in neatly with the surrounding architecture.