Property Ladder Grade II Listed

[Nemesis]

I was sickened and heartened by the prog last night - when a Grade II listed was stripped of a considerable amount of historic lath and plaster - without consent.

Hooray for the local authority which made the person concerned repair like for like at a cost of five grand, although of course you can never replace history.

I thought the CO came over well too. Pleased the owner made a loss at the end. May put off others who think that listed buildings are ripe to redevelop insensitively, without consents, to make a fast buck.

 

[Pford75]

Agree completely.

In fact, Sarah Beeney encourages 'amateur' developers to steer clear of Listed Buildings and in non-listed buildings to retain original features and not put uPVC in.

I do think these programs serve a purpose in demonstrating that LB's are not the best way to make a fast buck

 

[Nemesis]

Well, that's maybe because of her association with SPAB at times. And Mr Boniface of this forum.

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/grand-designs/gd_live/gdlive_timetable.html


However, not all agree apparently:


http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article3325804.ece

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Well, that's maybe because of her association with SPAB at times. And Mr Boniface of this forum.

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/grand-designs/gd_live/gdlive_timetable.html


However, not all agree apparently:


http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article3325804.ece

Hmmmm:

I suppose, when it comes down to it, I know that the conservation office is right. I might be proposing only tiny deviations from strict historical accuracy, but if you allow those where does it end? And it is protecting the value of the house. I acknowledge these things, albeit grudgingly. It's the price you pay for living in an unusual home.

Not quite a disagreement, unless you meant the nutter in the comments section at the bottom of the article:

We were living in an unlisted lodge back in the 1990s. Then it got listed. We were unable to replace rotten 1904 windows, or a porch that was falling to pieces because of the cost of the regulations imposed.(No help there from anyone!) We had to sit with blankets around our shoulders because of the draughts.

I've read that three times and I can't see what these "costs imposed" by the "regulations" are.

 

[Nemesis]

Well, the article by one Mark Barrowcliffe was a little lacking in sympathy to begin with - but came OK in the end.

Yes I meant the nutter in the comments. They just don't understand.

Bit like this letter in today's Scotsman:

Deteriorating city must go forward with good taste

FOR the past 20 years I have lived here in the Old Town seeing many changes in the manmade environment. Most of them not for the good.

It has become apparent that this city does not have the enlightened or knowledgeable "taste makers" that are essential if the qualiTy of civic design is to be noticeably improved.

The noticeable deterioration in the appearance of the city with the rapid increase in second and third rate building projects, the lack of housing for key workers and young people, and the deplorable, garish frontages and facades of buildings and shops on Princes Street and the Royal Mile hardly warrants the city justifying the title of being recognised as a World Heritage Site.

A clear indictment of the council's indifference or even worse, ignorance on these issues. Profit alone seems to be the motivation behind most of the ongoing rebuilding projects.

Before coming to live in Edinburgh, I was principal of one of the major art colleges in Scotland. Directly involved in the education of young architects, planners, designers, craftsmen, and artists, I speak with some knowledge and experience on these topics.

The talent, enthusiasm and passion is here, but the reluctance by those in central government to recognise the need for employing professionals with the skills required, is a sad reflection on Scotland's administrators.

Having negotiated over many years with politicians, council officials, and senior civil servants it soon became clear that very few of these people had sufficient knowledge or experience to cope with the many different facets of designing the urban environment. In fact, they resented being told that this was the reality.

An arts degree from a university, or being a city councillor, is no substitute for the vital input of trained professional practitioners in architecture, design, and the fine arts.

If Edinburgh is to be a city comparable to European cities that have had major civic developments in the 20th century; cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Bilbao or Vienna – then people with the commitment, skill and passion must be appointed here to undertake these tasks.

Myer Lacome, Campbell's Close, Edinburgh

As most developments, love 'em or not, in the WHS site been by 'award winning' architects such as Terry Farrell, Allan Murray and Malcolm Fraser, I'm not sure what the government is supposed to do - seems a spot confused with CEC planning dept.

However. quite what a lack of affordable housing, allied to what he sees as tacky frontages on shops, has to do with the 1995 inscription of the Old and New Towns on the UNESCO WHS lists beats me.

 

[Flyfisher]

We were living in an unlisted lodge back in the 1990s. Then it got listed. We were unable to replace rotten 1904 windows, or a porch that was falling to pieces because of the cost of the regulations imposed.(No help there from anyone!) We had to sit with blankets around our shoulders because of the draughts.

I've read that three times and I can't see what these "costs imposed" by the "regulations" are.

Isn't it generally more expensive to replace a bespoke period window, like-for-like, than put in a new, off-the shelf one that meets the latest regs? And we all know that tradesmen with the skills and experience required for period properties come at a premium. There is also the need to go through the LBC process itself, which usually costs money unless you do it all yourself.

If people buy a listed property then they should obviously be aware of these sorts of increased costs, but the 'nutter' in question didn't buy a listed property, it was listed after their purchase, presumably without their consent. Isn't their frustration understandable?

 

[Nemesis]

Isn't it generally more expensive to replace a bespoke period window, like-for-like, than put in a new, off-the shelf one that meets the latest regs?

Isn't it generally nigh impossible to find an off the peg to fit a period building?

Guess what, the new owner (high up in a well known bank), has added a double garage with bedroom ensuite above, and greatly extended the house, all with permission from the same people who wouldn't let us change the windows.

But did they ask if the windows could be repaired?

Wonder what they wanted to change them for? uPVC?