Suffolk barn for restoration,

[RobT]

Hi,

its not often that we get potential barns for restoration on the 'For Sale' section of the site. But, for someone requiring a restoration project this barn looks particularly attractive. It is located in Suffolk and has wonderful Dutch gables. The details can be found at:
Suffolk Barn

regards

Rob

 

[Moo]

a fabulous opportunity ... a fabulous detached three storey home ... with fabulous Dutch gables ...

 

[middi]

IF only I could do everything in life.............

I am jelous.

 

[Nigel Watts]

I'm afraid I dont share the enthusiasm. The building looks perfect as it is and is bound to be wrecked in the conversion process, however tastefully done. Barns, if historically interesting, should be left alone, or used as workshops, studios etc.

 

[RobT]

Hi Nigel,

I agree, but as the barn is 'for sale' I'd rather it was bought by somebody who actively used sites like PPUK and was genuinely interested in restoring it.

By giving it a small degree of promotion here can we are only increase the chances of it falling into the right hands.

All the best.

Rob

 

[Penners]

I'm in the middle of faffing about with another property.
I can't afford it.
I'm too old to take on a project that big.
I promised Mrs Penners that this would be our last fixer-upper.

Get thee behind me, Satan. :evil:

 

[Paul Hopper]

What a superb opportunity, unfortunately we could't move back to Suffolk now cos of the grandchildren, also, sadly I am a but old to do it all again!but what an opportunity and its history?? wow!

 

[Nigel Watts]

You are right, of course. With the planning permission already granted it will be done up, and it is much better that a period property enthusiast does it than someone who just wants to make a quick buck.

I would love to have a go at something old and rural. The challenge for me would be to to avoid making it too pretty. Something of the smell, dirt and general unkemptness of the farmyard should remain; it should still look as if it somehow just grew out of the earth...

I think I'm in danger of getting carried away here. My savings are strictly ringfenced for the children's school fees and my early retirement aspirations.

 

[dmcquade]

Sorry for the stupid question but how do you add a photo to your post?

Thanks.

David

 

[RobT]

Hi David,

take a look at the test forum under 'Period Property Forum Index' and see the post by Simon Wright.

You can try it yourself in this area before venturing onto the live forum.

regards

Rob

 

[skier-hughes]

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=61473#61473

Oh well Rob beat me to it.

 

[JanieB]

There is a barn conversion about a mile from me which is just about reaching completion. The barn was bought by a developer and I am horrified at what I can see from the road. I dread to think what they have done inside .

The lovely mellow bricks on the outside have all been cleaned and it looks like new build - totally out of keeping with the farmhouse and other neighbouring buildings. They've also done something to the roof that doesn't look right, but I can't quite work out why not.

 

[middi]

A developer,s interest in period property is far removed from the genuine period property restoration which many of us on this forum aspire to.

The genuine restorer will adapt their needs as dictated by the layout of a period building.
The total opposite is true of a developer, the emphasis is on providing a very saleable home in a period property which can be achieved in the shortest possible time. This can only be done by using readily cheap available labour and as much of modern materials they can get away with. It is no necessarely lack of knowledge it is sound economics which leads to this conflict of interest.

There is a vast difference between a bevelopers barn convertion and restoration of a barn adapted for living accomodation. The former will inevitably create a lot of irreversable damage, the latter, if well done , can be reversed to its former self with hardly any impact on the structure and will look better for it.

That's my interpretation for what is worth.

 

[Penners]

Nigel

Something of the smell, dirt and general unkemptness of the farmyard should remain

That's never been a problem in our house!

David

 

[Ian Bond]

If I can find enough 2p and 1p copper coins to melt down, I'll have it!

What a splendid building - I hope it falls into the 'right' hands.

The lovely mellow bricks on the outside have all been cleaned and it looks like new build - totally out of keeping with the farmhouse and other neighbouring buildings.

I agree JanieB - people have been doing it 'round our way, though to terraced houses. They look awful and ruin the appearance of the rest of the terrace. Bah.

I wonder what they did to the roof? One thing I see a lot of is old tile roofs (stone, slate) that were laid with diminishing courses being replaced with reguarly sized tiles (often man made) layed in regular courses. It just looks horrible, especially next to the 'real' neighbouring roofs.

Ian

 

[Anys]

Really interesting to read views but really worrying when in the middle of converting an old barn. It's like attempting surgery when not qualified as a surgeon in any way ... my barn is attached to the farmhouse & I would like to view the building as a whole, the planning people don't think so. Whatever I and the builders do, some people are not going to like the result. You just have to do the best you can, stick to the rules, and read everything you can find on the subject.

 

[Gervase]

...and things have become so much worse with the new building Regs which came into force last month. It would seem that many building inspectors are enforcing them 'by the book', which makes sympathetic conversions a nightmare.
I'm working on one at the moment which is subject to the most extraordinary restrictions as regards insulation - necessitating that the whole building is dry-lined and celotexed, thus removing any hint of the fabric. The only place that is going to keep any of the original character is the exterior.

 

[Penners]

Gervase

So that wouldn't be oak dry lining and lime putty celotex, then?
:?

David

 

[Ian Bond]

Glad to see you're using the emoticons too, Penners.

(see Come and Join Us!)

:lol:

 

[Penners]

Ian

Thanks for your emoticongratulatory message.