- Thread starter robgil
- Start date
skier-hughes
Member
- Messages
- 3,414
- Location
- Staffs, UK
When we bought ur house it wasn't listed, still isn't. But as it was 600 years old, we asked CO to come along and look at it, advise on works etc, and although he has no jurisdiction, he has shown a lot of interest and been a lot of help.
JoceAndChris
Member
- Messages
- 6,606
- Location
- Lincolnshire
I know Jaqi (DWB) had help from hers. But I wrote to mine inviting her for a cup of tea and she never replied. I didn't feel inclined to keep pestering after that. Thank goodness I have our lovely Gareth Hughes, and all the other extremely kind and knowledgeable people on this forum to help and advise.
I think it does depend on who you get, and you have more chance of interest being in a Conservation Area.
I think it does depend on who you get, and you have more chance of interest being in a Conservation Area.
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
D'you know, I wasn't aware that there are two Gareth Hugheses on this forum.JoceAndChris said:
I must meet the lovely one sometime.
FamilyWiggs
Member
- Messages
- 3,452
- Location
- Flintshire, N Wales.
JoceAndChris said:
Oi - don't forget us lot what is not so knowledgeable (or lovely or kind for that matter) :twisted:
JoceAndChris
Member
- Messages
- 6,606
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Ah, Mr Wiggs. I can assure you you were not forgotten for a nano second. You make me laugh every single day! (in a nice way) And you know lots and lots and lots about period properties. And your grammar is better than mine. Xxxxxxxx
FamilyWiggs
Member
- Messages
- 3,452
- Location
- Flintshire, N Wales.
OK Mrs N - you are forgiven! 8)
Although your comment is very kind, I would contend that really I know a very very very little about just one period property. But like most of us I learn a little more each day and more often from people on here than from my own house!
Although your comment is very kind, I would contend that really I know a very very very little about just one period property. But like most of us I learn a little more each day and more often from people on here than from my own house!
philpjuk100
Member
- Messages
- 1,145
- Location
- newark nottinghamshire
Do not be too hasty in trying to get your property listed,If you are on this forum you probably have sympathy with your house and will be able to source plenty of advice (not always in agreement!) My old gas boiler has now started to leak so I called in the plumber who said it is over 30 years old and spares are no longer available so a new boiler is needed.Only more efficient condensing boilers are now allowed which have a small black flue 4.1/2" dia,my old boiler has a very ugly stainless balanced flue 14" square sticking out 5.1/2",as it is on the front of the house I tried to contact my CO but she only works two days a week so I was put through to the duty planning officer who told me that they required a pic of what it looks like now,a drawing of what it will look like,they will then decide "but don`t hold your breath were are very busy" As this has to be changed urgently as we have no hot water or heating (or shower) until it is. I am going to have to hang the old balanced flue over the new one until a decision is made. phil.
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Dear oh dear... you're such a pushover, FW. A few X's at the end of a female's oleagenous message and you're like a tickled puppy. :wink:FamilyWiggs said:
skier-hughes
Member
- Messages
- 3,414
- Location
- Staffs, UK
As I said, I have, early on, when I was getting to grips with what owning such an old house meant........... ok, not seen him for a couple of years, but I haven't exactly set the world alight with the speed of my work........ I've still got about another 5 years (ok 10) worth of work that he went through last time he was here before I approach anything new and undisucssed 
If I came across a problem that had consequences, then I'd phone him adn have a chat and ask him round again.
If I came across a problem that had consequences, then I'd phone him adn have a chat and ask him round again.
thanks guys , it can be hard knowing what to do sometimes and sometimes i do wish the house were listed as it would certainly help me make up my mind about stuff. The reason i ask is this , ive got a relatively modern stud partition at the bottom of my stairs. Not a bad idea as far as keeping heat in the room is concerned but if i were to remove it i would have the inglenook in the room again instead of just some of it as it is now.
what do you guys think?
what do you guys think?
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
I'm no expert, but so far as I know you could carry out that work without any formal consents, in an unlisted property.
The only works that might involve some sort of application for consent is if some aspect of building regs were to be involved. For example, if you were actually modifying the staircase itself.
That is my amateur understanding of the situation, anyway.
The only works that might involve some sort of application for consent is if some aspect of building regs were to be involved. For example, if you were actually modifying the staircase itself.
That is my amateur understanding of the situation, anyway.
Thats what i thought Penners , the stud wall itself does not do anything on a structural basis as the joists above run across it to a joist support beam on the wall behind. If the house were listed what i wonder would be the outcome of an application to remove this wall? It is after all part of the buildings historic fabric and shows just one of the few changes that have taken place in the house over the years. How old or how important does something have to be before it is seen as being significant enough to have any plans of alteration or removal rejected?
Edit - on the other hand removal of the wall would enable me to properly restore the old inglenook fireplace which from what i can gather is quite curious as it sits in the corner of the room and not in its centre.
Edit - on the other hand removal of the wall would enable me to properly restore the old inglenook fireplace which from what i can gather is quite curious as it sits in the corner of the room and not in its centre.
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Again with no expert opinion to support this view, I reckon the way that the wall interferes with the inglenook fireplace would convince a CO that it is an odd, later addition to the house, and that its removal would enhance the historic character and authenticity of the building.
I wonder whether Gareth will comment.
I wonder whether Gareth will comment.
I can't remember how old your house is, Robgil, but guess that it's pretty ancient. In which case, isn't there a chance that the staircase itself is a fairly recent addition? I'm sure I've read somewhere that relatively humble dwellings just had a stepladder for access to the upper floor.
Carol
Member
- Messages
- 315
- Location
- Now in East Wiltshire
Looking at your drawing, I wondered if the stairs are a later addition too. Could the house have been originally a single or 'one and a half' storey, or only had an upstairs at the other end? I want to use the word 'mezzanine' but suspect this is not the right one.
Our place had the roof lifted in the 1450's to provide a larger upstairs, previously there was just a 'loft' bit at one end. Presumably no CO's then to discuss this!
Our place had the roof lifted in the 1450's to provide a larger upstairs, previously there was just a 'loft' bit at one end. Presumably no CO's then to discuss this!
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
If it was originally a hall house, then the upstairs gallery where the master and mistress slept would be called the "solar".Carol said:
And I'm sure Moo's suggestion is entirely possible.
interesting , because one half of the house looks more modern (Georgian) than the other half. i think it was an open hall at one stage and i would imagine the inglenook to be a later addition also. the two halves of the house look entirely different as far as the upstairs is concerned , the older half having a spine beam with rafters spreading out from each side , some still in the round. the younger half has large joists , still laid flat but cut nice and square. the house according to village records was first recorded between 1520 and 1580 , all the brick work is in English bond although the newer half has different bricks used in the plinths than the inglenook which is made from an odd sized 2'' brick.
The roof on the other hand looks to be all original and some historic movement would suggest the entire house has moved towards the newer half so perhaps it suffered from a chimney collapse or a fire , a lot of the old studs in the newer half have black scorch marks although this could just be soot from the open hearth. also under the concrete floor i have found lots and lots of burnt wood.
anyhow , the staircase and wall are more recent , still lath and plaster and i would assume the wall went in at the same time as the stairs although there are signs of what used to be another staircase on the other half of the house.
The roof on the other hand looks to be all original and some historic movement would suggest the entire house has moved towards the newer half so perhaps it suffered from a chimney collapse or a fire , a lot of the old studs in the newer half have black scorch marks although this could just be soot from the open hearth. also under the concrete floor i have found lots and lots of burnt wood.
anyhow , the staircase and wall are more recent , still lath and plaster and i would assume the wall went in at the same time as the stairs although there are signs of what used to be another staircase on the other half of the house.