Sells Green, Melksham

The client approached Moloney Contractors to deliver two detached four-bedroom cottages on a greenfield plot in the village of Sells Green, near Melksham, Wiltshire. The vision was clear: bespoke, high-quality homes that blended traditional cottage character with modern performance standards — energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and built to last.

As the main contractor, Moloney Contractors managed the entire project from initial groundworks through to final landscaping — a true turnkey delivery. Every trade, every material, every detail coordinated under one roof.

Ground conditions on site required piled foundations — 22 piles per plot, 44 in total — with reinforced ring beams tying the structure together. A single concrete pour of 54 cubic metres established the base for both properties. Full below-ground drainage was installed alongside the substructure, with all services coordinated before backfill.

With foundations cured, the blockwork rose quickly. Structural steelwork was installed to support open-plan layouts and vaulted ceiling spans. The buildings progressed through first and second floor levels with scaffolding providing safe access across both plots simultaneously. Traditional brick and block construction was specified throughout, with cavity wall insulation exceeding Building Regulations requirements.

Roof trusses and cut timber formed the complex cottage rooflines, with traditional clay tiles and detailed lead work at valleys and abutments. Oak porch canopies were hand-crafted and fitted to each entrance, giving both properties their distinctive character. Once tiled and felted, the buildings were weathertight — allowing internal trades to begin work regardless of conditions.

The internal specification matched the ambition of the build. Full rigid-board insulation was fitted throughout before plasterboarding, with fire-rated boards to party walls and ceilings. Vaulted ceilings in the master bedrooms and living areas were skim-plastered to a high finish. Underfloor heating was installed across the entire ground floor of both properties, with screed poured to embed the pipework — providing even, efficient warmth powered by air-source heat pumps.

Both cottages were completed and handed over with full landscaping, external pathways, and renewable energy systems in place. Each property features roof-integrated solar panels, air-source heat pumps, and a high-performance thermal envelope — delivering homes that are as efficient to run as they are comfortable to live in. The finished buildings sit naturally in their rural setting, with a material palette of brick, render, and clay tile that respects the village character.