stevemac

How much land and at what cost for the lot? You can PM me if you feel comfortable to be able to tell me. I would not be offended in any way if you chose not to disclose. I know that location makes a lot of difference, Its just for the green pile I have enclosed here, I'm seeking prior approval with a view to making an offer for it. I have no idea as I don't tend to undertake these projects that often. ? I worked out a rough square metre2 for the plot and coverted to acres, its about 0.9

All good stuff, I'm copying all of this to word doc's in my barn folder.

Will, do that would be most interesting to watch and perhaps inspiring given the daunting prospect I might be facing. ?

Thanks for all of that advice, very useful here. CIL Grrr! Mezanine would be a calcuable factor by the looks of things. I'll plug on andf take my local auhtority to task and see what they have to say.

Very nice homage to that style of barn

Bingo!

I suppose a call to Malvern Hills might settle the matter. Are you saying that some councils try to apply rules that they should not?

Now, I did not know that... doh!

Excellent and good luck. These buildings when converted sympathetically are one of the best applications of this sort of work. Unlike brick and masonry, they will rust away and their pleasing shapes will be lost forever from our landscapes eventually. Amongst the various projects that I am condidering is a similar structure. I say considering because of the open ended and potentially expensive reports that will have to be compiled, and then there is the CIL to pay of course. All of this cost and the potential for no time constraints for some of the surveys is a bit off putting. The other issue is the sheer size of this barn. Otheriwse my plan mirrors yours, though I have not sought prior approval yet, though the barn has it's own dedicated and very private drive, electricity and water. We would retain the green paintwork and the existing shape completly. Well done, brilliant project! Steve.

That is a posh piggery and what wonderful Ashlar work too! It's easy to forget how much time and effort went into making agricultural buildings fit for the estate they occupied. It would be a lovely building to build. The photo I have enclosed is a similary delicious use of stone and Ashalr work, just down the road. This is also in Sandstone and like your ruin- looks good enought to eat!

Quite right. There certainly is an increasing disincentive for many skilled and competent individuals from attempting the restoration of listed buildings. Not because of the physical requirements for those restorations, but because of the ever increasing tyranny exercised by regulatory bodies. I am losing interest in pursuing derelict, or abandoned listed buildings therefore. The picture of the granite 15th century granite farmhouse is something I am currently pursuing. However my enthusiasm is dampened some-what. It is 2*, so it is one of only 5% of all listed buildings. As a consequence, even though I am prepared to finance and rescue this building, there may be onerous restrictions on any material changes to the interior, which is 18th century generally and dreadful. Very little of the original structure exists and the roof now sits on softwood pine, rather than oak, or elm. Though I am prepared to cut and create an authentic roof with my own sawmill, the awful non-original interior of stud walling and sub-divided rooms will have to stay, though the listing exists for the remarkable exterior and building itself, rather than the much later un-remarkable interior. Also, the exterior of the building now comes under scrutiny and the land adjoining it. I may be banned from the building, whilst an open ended bat survey takes place with no limit on time and budget. The trees would be subject to surveys and preservation orders and then there would be the need for impact assessments for bio-diversity and flora and fauna and toads, newts, etc. I'm all for the preservation of wildlife and what-not, but it can occur that you can be saddled with enormous costs in time and money that have a significant impact on your project. A friend of mine face bankruptcy though she observed due diligence because of these scenarios. It may feel as if the house you call home is out of your control and influence. The there is the need to preserve the narrative of change. An unknown quantity for any restoration. The picture I have enclosed is of the Doctors House, in Great Witley, Worcestershire. A fine grade 2 building, significant in its stature and design and history. A husband and wife team sought to restore it and restore the original plum coloured welsh slates as seen elsewhere in the village. (Those slates had been replaced in the 1970's by hideous concrete pantiles). Needless to say, the conservation dept. of Malvern Hills insisted that “The character of the original building is much enhanced by the introduction of those concrete tiles and the-fore any replacement will have to be in the same, or nearest materials available. The tiles tell a narrative which enriches our architectural landscape" Fair enough if that replacement material, or 'improvement' has merit, or provenance, but really? Is this a good judgement when all is said and done? The house has remained empty and abandoned after its new roof as shown.

Brilliant, I can talk historic fabric and stonemasonry, carving and sculpture all day long. Cheers Russell- Steve.

Using Helifix allows for flexing down the joint, but I would tooth the new stone into the original fabric to avoid an unsightly joint running down. Best wishes- Steve.

Hello there, thanks for your greeting. I would be very happy to see your cottage and thank you for offering to share that. It's great to be so involved with others who have such similar interests. It's always interesting to look at all work regardless of age, genre, style,design and location. Best wishes- Steve.

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A had a look a month ago, but I will go back this weekend and look again. The biggest heartache is seeing the place of your dreams, but being unable to do anything just yet. But of course there are stragglers that will be there for some time and of course by looking now, you are more exprerienced to deal with things when that time comes. I ahve enclosed a picture of the sort of look I want to acheive. Stone detailing, smooth lime render, pebbledash, gabled dormers, asymetric-Arts and Crafts Thank you very much for your suggestion.? Steve

Very nice work, I felt an immediate sense of calm just looking at those pictures. Ancient paths and pathways are a wonderful part of our ancient narrative. I think there are a few ancient stone bridges in Cornwall, or pathways, or stones crossing various rivers at various paces. Wonderful stuff, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for your reply to my introduction! Listed buildings are a pain to engage with now. Things have always been difficult, but the disinsentives are abound. We have been looking at a building at risk and I have the perfect skills to resore this 2* building. However, whilst I might be prepared to take on this highly skilled and dedicated task, not, the building, the landscape, the trees and flora and fauna do not belong to you any more as more agencies pitch-in with onerous restrictions. Being empty for some time means that an open ended bat survey has to take place with no time restrictions and just this one element almost sunk the business of one friend of mine. Another picture of Cupola I built during construction. Cheers-Steve

Hi there, I would have to say that there is a very real chance that there are stones extending from the front, to the rear of the masonry. Subject to any constraints, the removal of a few test areas would confirm this. The economy of labour dictates that whilst there is a need to square off the perpends, and the base and top of the stones, the rear's would probarbly be left quite ruough and of random length made up with rubble to the internal dimensions. In my experienece, the lengths of those stones into the building can be quite varaible and inter-dependant. Also, I would have thought that internally, there may be timberwork being supported, not by the exterior stones, but by the internal rubblework. Is there an issue with damp- insulation? Sorry to be vague, but come back to me. Steve.

Puchase Polyester resin stone glue(vertical clear) Dowling with threaded stainless steel 8mm threaded rod is brilliant. Keep the glue away from the edge joints. Make some stone dust and mix with some glue to make a paste and push into these open joints. (The ratio will be correct when the colour of this paste, is the same as the stone when wet.) When this has gone off, it can be ground back roughly to the surface and then sanded lightly to produce and invisible repair. This is an industry standard method.

Hi Jilly, nice to hear from you! I am always happy to share any useful knowlege and experience I may have. Best-Steve.

Thanks for the welcome Mike! We are just getting an idea of costs and locations at the moment and are busy getting our current house ready for sale next year. That should happen fairly quickly as we are in a popular area. Hopefully we can then rent to have cash available for auction or negotiated purchase. You are right about the heights thing, I think fear has concentrated my mind sometimes for the better.?

Hi there, I do not know if you are sorted yet, but this is the way we would do this for EH, national Trust. Just google Helifix. Its a twisted Stainless Steel band about 5-8mm wide and about 1mm thick in lengths of about 3-4 metres. Just cut to length. You drill holes in seperate stones, or same stones to form loops, say 300mm in length. each end is fastened with Polyester paste pushed into the holes.Also, Helifix can be left as just tails to be set into your mortar. Clean the holes out first by pushing some Helifix into the holes and then twisting and withdrawing to pull the dust out. Blowing down a thin tube can work to, or using a thin brush on wire used for pipe cleaning. When you put each end of the Helifix into the glued up holes, plunging it in and out a few times ensures everything will be bonding together. Helifix is available in various sections. You can buy the Polyester from Harbro supplies, county Durham, you need tins of Clear Vertical and you will be supplied with a catalyst with it. The glue actually looks like axle grease! ? Anyway, if your still stuck, let me know- Steve.

Hello to everybody at Build-Hub. I am hoping to purchase an asymmetric chalet type building. Bungalow with dormer windows (gabled hopefully) and upstairs rooms or a one and a half story house if that makes more sense. I suppose the age of the building might be from the 1920’s- 1930’s onwards. I am seeking a building that need modernisation, restoration with a large plot and hopefully quite isolated. Wales, Cornwall, Devon are the preferred destinations, we don’t fancy moving north of Worcestershire. The plan is to use the money saved by buying a worn property on refurbishing and re-modelling the building into a more classical shape. I am a great fan of Edwin Lutyens, pebbledash, buttresses, overhanging and decorated eaves and gables, use of stone and tile facings etc. Arts and Crafts style type architecture. Somewhere out there, there will be the house for us, it’s just a matter of finding it. Unfortunately, it is now a growing trend to demolish the scenario we are seeking to make way for multiple modern housing units. If I can be of any assistance to anybody, please just ask. I have 35 years’ experience in the conservation, repair and restoration of some of the country’s finest monuments and buildings. I was described by senior personal of English Heritage as being one of the country’s finest Stonemasons. There is very little I do not know about stonework and masonry generally and I have been and advisor to both EH and the National Trust. Apart from writing the specifications and reports for the restoration of ancient and important buildings, I have obtained Listed Building Consents for many private customers and clients over the years. Anyway, nice to meet you- Steve.