Re: Re: Decommissioned Farmhouse?

@onq wrote:

Two in one month – it must be signs of a recovery! 🙂

Simon, IMO you cannot simply recommission a decommissioned building, willy-nilly..
You cannot simply start doingworks to something supposed to be an ex-habitable structure to make it habitable again.
Doing any works to make it habitable may be viewed as substantially the same in planning law terms as building a house without permission.

Indeed I can start doing works, especially repair on the structure as it’s in dire need of drainage works, reroofing, reflooring and replastering… Without which it will be gone beyond repair within a decade…

@onq wrote:

We’re all suffering from the lack of proper regulation and foresight in Government and Banking levels of our society and alleged corruption and croneyism at the highest levels.
Yet here you are going to great lengths to apparently bat back competent planning advice from a host of competent building professionals AND hoping for special treatment from the local authority.

I’m not looking for special treatment personally.. I’m expecting that the heritage of this country receives special treatment.. . Yes it would be cheaper to knock… Yes it would be easier (and cheaper) to build a new house from scratch on some greenfield site a few hundred yards from the farmhouse.. But that means the history and character of that dwelling and the fire that has lit in the hearth of that house for the last 200 yr+ is permanently extinguished… If the system doesn’t go out of it’s way to protect these structures, then the system is very wrong in my mind, and still champions the bulldozing of our dwindling rural heritage… I’m looking for improved regulation of these issues such that the destruction stops, and the professionals in this country stop their bulldozing refrain…. It’s a disgrace of a situation whereby there’s no laws stopping me from bulldozing this property, while at the same time there are laws preventing me from saving it… Am I the only one who sees the wrong in this situation?…

@onq wrote:

• the ex-house is not a listed building
• you will get no derogations from the LA on compliance with the building regulations
• it will never be “right” given the structure and lack of DPC and insulation [rising dampt through walls, etc. and
• in the end, it will be cheaper to knock and rebuild

Now I know some builders and architects who would make a good job if this, but I also have met a lot of people like you – you won’t employ them.

That single statement highlights whats wrong with most of the construction profession in this country with respect of restoration (i.e. ignorance)… With such a blinkered view of construction methods focusing purely on the cling-film approach of Plastic, Steel and Cement… We’re miles behind the UK in this respect, who actually appreciate their old cottages/buildings making it very difficult for people like me to find professionals who know what they’re talking about… There are many ways to deal with damp and insulation in old houses, i.e. french drains, recycled foam glass/coat lecca under floor, hemp lime plasters, limerete.. The key is breathability and drainage… Feel free to educate yourself and do this country a service…