Advice for sealing/dry lining a potentially damp basement?

[freddiejhill]

Any Advice? Any Tips welcome.

 

I'm about to embark on a cellar conversation. The basement is dug into the hillside, and is a 19th century listed building. So it's old. The cellar has an external door and 2 small windows to a small courtyard - so it's not entirely submerged. (Pictures attached). It does also get a nice amount of airflow. 

 

My plan is to build a stud wall, insulate and line the space will drywall, covering up some of the shoddy surfaces. I hope to keep the left brick wall for some character. The biggest concern is the far left corner (seen in pictures). At some point, it's clearly been very damp, but today and for the last few months, it seems quite dry. I'm no pro when it comes to fixing up spaces like this, so any advice is welcome. My worry is that by tanking this corner and then building a stud wall in front, it might cut off the airflow to that area and subsequently causes the damp to return. Would this be the case? Should I somehow integrate a vent for airflow to continue, or should I point all the damaged brick work and then stud wall? 

It's a hefty job, but I really want to turn the space around. If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

Freddie. 

[Mr Punter]

Type C drained cavity waterproofing to floor and walls with sump and pump.  Metal I studs inside walls.  Insulation and chipboard floor.

[George]

+1 on the Type C.  It's the only footproof method of retrofitting a cellar into a habitable space.