Anyone Restoring or Restored a Historic Building?

[BigGingerBob]

The reason I ask is I'm doing my final project for my masters on how the restrictions imposed by Histric England affect the restoration of damaged or derelict buildings.
I'm looking for positive and negative experiences. The contacts I have haven't been all that good at replying!
Thanks, Bob

[BigGingerBob]

To put it simply, whether they care a help or a hindrance. Do you mind if I send you a pm after work?

[BigGingerBob]

Much of the opposition does come with cost it seems. I've contacted Historic England themselves and conservation officers, the project needs to be objective so I'm trying g to get both sides. I just need more anecdotal evidence.
As a for instance, on one restoration after a fire, the builders were forced to keep a burned beam in place because it was part of the 'story' of the building. The beam was a charred mess that was going to be hidden behind a steel frame and ceilings, walls, etc

[BigGingerBob]

Equus said:

Thank you for the responses, PMs have been sent. Thank you for the help guys!

[BigGingerBob]

QuickQuack said:

Are you interested in dealings directly with Historic England only, which would restrict it to GII* and GI listed buildings only, or are you interested in dealings with district council conservation officers on GII listed buildings as well? I have had plenty of positive and pragmatic help as well as the odd obstacle with restoration works on our GII listed house, parts of which were in a pretty awful state and uninhabitable when we first moved in. Let me know if you'd be interested and I'd be glad to help.

I would love to hear about it. I have sent you an email.

Bob

[BigGingerBob]

Equus said:

As so often with the planning system, and indeed life in general, if you're convinced that everyone around you is a congenital idiot, it sometimes pays to stand back and review your perspective.

Even my own anecdote about the mad Sheep Woman has a twist in the tale. This is the site as currently shown on Google Maps:



A dozen years on and clearly, our strategy of using a management company to strimmer down the vegetation a few times a year isn't working. She was probably quite correct in stating that sheep would have done the best job, even if I still can't see any practical and cost-effective way of making that happen.

Haha, that whole story really did make me laugh.
A huge thank you to everyone who has sent me messages. This is just a generic thanks and I will get back to each one of you individually. You have all been a million more helpful than the people of Torbay!
Interesting responses from different experiences of HE. Just what I needed!
If anyone has more experiences please share

[BigGingerBob]

Alucidnation said:

GetCarter said:

Probably already mentioned, but it's 'an Historic Building', not 'a Historic Building'.

[/pedant]

Not convinced by that i'm afraid.

If I was Cockney saying 'an 'istoric building' then perhaps. I've always detested the use of 'an' with a word beginning with 'h'. Whether that's correct or not.

[BigGingerBob]

Hello all,

Submitted my dissertation about 20 minutes ago! Thank you for all your help and contributions, I believe I've thanked all who emailed individually, if not I'm sorry an I will correct that tomorrow morning.
In the mean time I've just ordered a celebratory chinese and as a symbolic thanks, I've bought a Pistonhead beer that I found in the shop.

CHEERS!

[BigGingerBob]