Countryside Building Issue 3 Volume 1

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COUNTRYSIDE BUILDING 3

Main features in our nextissue:Roofing (NRFC Article)

Waste Water Management

High Quality Housing

4 RDBA Information

8 National News/ New Council Elected at AGM

10 Chairmans Profile

11 National News / Low›Cost Beef Cattle Housing,

Woodchip Corrals and Shelters.

13 National News / Construction Group & Advice

Notes.

14 Technical / Conversion of Traditional Farm Buildings.

22 Technical / Bucklawren Farm Case Study.

25 Technical / Convert to Survive.

27 Technical / The House That Jack Built.

28 Technical / Country Accommodation Converted to

the Highest Standards.

32 Branch News /Yorkshire Branch: Election of NewChairman

PublishersConstruction Publishing111 South RoadWaterloo, LiverpoolMerseyside L22 0LT

Tel: 0151 928 8404Fax: 0151 920 4747Email: [email protected] £18 UKOverseas £25

EditorMr Tony HutchinsonTel: 01449 781307Fax: 01449 780327E.mail: [email protected]

Advertising ManagerAndrew Brown

Sales ManagerJason CraigE.mail: [email protected]

Countryside Building has been carefullyprepared but articles are published withoutresponsibility on the part of the publishersor authors for loss occasioned to any per›sonacting or refraining from action as a resultofany view, information or advice includedtherein. The articles published do notnecessarily reflect the opinions of the RuralDesign & Building Association, the publish›ersor authors do not accept any responsibilityforany claims made by advertisers.

In Association With

RDBARURAL DESIGN & BUILDING ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS

RDBA Diary DatesMany of the following events are open to non›members of the RDBA but often there will be an increased cost.Space on many of the visits is restricted so that the contact name given with each date is contacted for confir›

mation.Do not attend unless you have confirmation from the contact that there is a place for you.Due to the foot and mouth outbreak some of the visits and visits listed below may have to be cancelled or postponed

at the last moment, we will try and keep our website at rdba.org.uk up to date but please check with the contact before attend›

ing.

Date Event Contact

13th March 01 Yorkshire Branch visit Nidderdale Branch Secretary David

Marston planning/diversification Phone: 01943 874564.

24th & 26th April 012 visits to a robotic milking parlour Wessex Branch SecretaryTaunton area. John Scott›White

Phone: 01884 881337.

25th April 01 18.301for 19.00 Health and Safety Seminar Jeannie HuthinsonEast Anglian Branch, Diss. Phone: 01449 781307

2nd May 01 10.30 Committee Meeting of the East Anglia BranchJeannie HutchinsonNFU offices Newmarket. Phone: 01449 781307.

13th & 14th June 01Stand at the Cereals Event National SecretaryRoyston. Phone: 01449 781307.

19th June 01 11.00 RDBA Council Meeting National SecretaryDiglis Hotel, Worcester. Phone: 01449 781307.

21st June 01 Yorkshire Branch visit, Dairy Units Branch Secretary David

Marston Denby Dale and Shelley. Phone: 01943 874564.

2nd›5th July 01 Stand at the Royal Show. National Secretary Stoneleigh. Phone: 01449 781307.

October 01 Yorkshire Branch visit to Yorkshire Water development.Branch Secretary David

Marston Date to be agreed. Phone: 01943 874564.

15th & 16th Nov. 01Winter Conference National Secretary�Sustainable Quality in Design and Development�.Phone: 01449 781307.

4 COUNTRYSIDE BUILDINGReader Enq. 001

Reader Enq. 002

This is our third issueofCountryside Building and I am surethat you will agree that the improve›ments continue. It is with greatregret that we have to announce thepostponement ofthe Spring Conference.

I am writing this on the 25th February2001 when the outlook for the impactof the �foot and mouth� outbreaklooks very bleak. We have thereforetaken thedecision to put off the conferenceuntil well after the all clear has beengiven.I hope that steps already taken havecontained the outbreak but we willnot know for sure for a number ofweeks and feel that it is better topostpone now rather than wait to thelast minute.

Once we have a clearer view of howfar the outbreak is going to spreadand when it might be over, we willrearrange the conference, hopefullywith the same speakers and visits.

Under normal circumstances I wouldbe saying how good it is to see thatthe diary dates are increasing withplenty going on throughout the UK

but we should be aware that due tothe outbreak some of the visits mayhave to be postponed or cancelled.We will attempt to keep our Websiteup to date but it is important that youcheck with the contact name beforeattending any event, at least until theall clear is announced.

I know that I speak for all our mem›bers when I pass on our sympathy toall those who will be affected by thistragedy.

On a happier note, I am particularlypleased that the Yorkshire Branch hasagreed to take on the task of organis›ing the Spring Conference 2002. Iam confident that they will ensure itis a great success.

As you will note from the membershipamendment pages, we have recentlyattracted a number of new members,please make them very welcome.

We have started to resurrect the EastAnglian Branch, which has been mori›bund for some time, which is ashame, as it would seem from thehistory kindly precis by John Messerfrom a 1977 article by David Souter,that the first branch event was organ›

ised in the region. As you will noteunder �Branch News� the first meetingwas very well attended and a lot ofinterest shown

I hope that with the increase inmembership some of our more expe›rienced members will start up othermoribund regions, in particular theMidlandshires, South Midlands andSouth East. If I can be of any assis›tance please let me know.

The Website is running well andbecoming more popular. In January itwas visited over 300 times, with 741pages being viewed. I know that atleast one member has received anenquiry after the enquirer found hisname and address on our site.As you know all Construction Groupand Corporate Members have a freelink to their website, so if you havenot yet advised me of your webaddress please do so. If other mem›bers want a link to their website thereis a charge of £25.00 per year.Please contact me if you wish for alink.

I have recently received copies of�Planning Tomorrow�s Countryside� and

Secretary�s

COUNTRYSIDE BUILDING 5Reader Enq. 003

The RDBAMembershipPackage. Regular meetings and conferences at branch andnational level.. The opportunity to comment on draft legislationand have

ones views represented on a number of BSICommittees.. Plenty of opportunities to meet with expertsinvolved in rural

buildings to discuss the issues of the day.. This journal �Countryside Building� is published atleast twice

a year and mailed to 10,000 key people in the agricul›tural

industry. It contains interesting and informative arti›cles as

well as giving members the opportunity to advertisetheir

products and services. The Members Directory ofServices will

be printed in one issue each year.. The RDBA show stand where Members can showtheir

products and services at the major agricultural shows.. Receive enquiries via the National Secretary.. The opportunity to speak to the HSE and otherGovernment

Departments as a trade association rather than anindividual

company.. The opportunity to develop method statementsas a trade

association and with an input from the HSE.. The opportunity to promote best practice in theconstruction

of farm buildings.

The Construction GroupIn 1999 a new group was formed for the farm›buildingconstructors. It was felt by a number of them that theyneeded a forum to discuss the industry�s problems and toallow them to talk to various Government Departments.This has proved very successful with a large number offarm building constructors joining, such that we can beconfident that the majority of farm buildings built nowand in the future will be erected by one of our members.They have representatives on BSI Committees and aMember of the HSE is on their Health and SafetyCommittee.

They also have their own safety training rig, which istaken to agricultural shows to demonstrate to farmers thesafety features that they should see on a building beingerected on their farm,

The main aims of the Construction Group are:. To promote good safe working practices withinour industry.. To raise the profile of agricultural building manu›facture and

construction as a skilled industry.. To discuss and exchange views and informationwithin

our industry.. To ensure that our clients realise their responsi›bilities under

the Construction Health and Safety Regulations.. To promote a Safety and Quality Scheme to thehighest

standards within our industry.. To liaise with the Health and Safety Executiveand other

bodies, including suppliers.Based on the aims, the group has agreed a MissionStatement and a Health and Safety Statement, whichthey have all signed.They are now working on standardising method state›ments for the different processes involved in constructinga farm building.They have published an advice note on the Farmer�sresponsibility when he has a building erected on his farm.Explaining how as the client the Farmer must ensurethat he uses a competent Contractor and that in manyinstances the Farmer is acting as the principle Contractorand so has full responsibility for health and safety onsite.

Membership of the Construction Group is open to

CorporateMembers, with the Construction Group annualsubscription, £100.00.

The RDBA

The RDBA was formed in 1956 and until 1991 wasknown as the Farm Buildings Association.We are still today the only Association in the UK having

a detailed knowledge of the function and environmentalrequirements of a modern agricultural building, togeth›

6 COUNTRYSIDE BUILDING

Membership Application Form(Includes information for the Membership Register)

Please give your details below in block letters. If you do not want your details to be published please mark a cross here ( )

We/I wish to become members of the Rural Design & Building Association and agree to pay the annual subscription on 1 October

each year.

Name of Company or College (if applicable)

Address

Post Code Tel No Fax No

E›mailWeb address

Title Mr./Mrs./Miss. Initials Surname

Position

Professional or other qualifications (abbreviations)

Home Address

Post Code Tel No Fax No

Business, please describe materials, products or services offered, including Trade Names. If a College please describe courses

available.

SignedDate

Membership (circle) Corporate› £220.00, College› £110.00, Individual › £39.00, Retired›£20.00, Student›

£15.00.

Construction Group Membershipis open to Corporate Members of the RDBA plus a £100.00 annual fee. Tick the boxif you wish to join the Construction Group and you will be invoiced for the £100.00 fee once you are a Corporate Member.There is a special concessionary rate for small firms with less than 6 employees, who wish to join the Construction Group of

£150.00.The cheques should be made payable to the RDBA Construction Group.

Please return to the National Secretary with your cheque made payable to RDBA.


New Council Elected at the AGMI list below the Council Members elected at the AGM on the 8th November 2000.

Sir P Astley Cooper Hon President White Cottage Phone: 01844 292 305ARICS 3 Townside, Haddenham Fax

Aylesbury HP17 8BG Email:

Mr R Coates MRAC Chairman University of Plymouth Phone: 01626 32 5648Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot Fax: 01626 32 56057TQ12 6NQ Email:

Mr John Scott›White Vice Chairman Scott White Chartered Surveyors Phone: 01884 881337FRICS MRAC and Land Agents Fax: 01884 881337

Melbrooke House, Loxbeare Email:Tiverton, devon EX16 9RH

Mr R Honey Immediate Past Livestock Systems Phone: 01275 857799Chairman Milbury Systems Ltd Fax: 01275 853 123

The long Barn, Clevedon Road Email: [email protected]›net.comTwickenham, Bristol BS21 6RY

Mr I Jim Loynes BSc Treasurer Harper Adams University College Phone: 01952 815245(Hons)MIAgrE Edgmont, Newport Fax: 01925 814783

Shropshire TF10 8NB Email: [email protected]

Mr A Hutchinson National Ghyll Hse, Cock Rd Phone: 01449 781577Secretary Cotton, Stowmarket Fax: 01449 780327

Suffolk IP14 4QH Email: [email protected]

Mr Graeme Blanchard Member 26 St Martins Lane Phone: 01225 891263Marshfield, Chippenham Fax:Witshire SN14 8LZ Email:

Mr David Bussey Member Margetts Phone: 01926 496262ARICS 12 High Street, Warwick Fax:

CV34 4AP Email:

Mr M Douglass Member 83 Mill Lane, Greenfield Phone: 01525 713672MSc,DPSE,MIAgrE, Bedford, Beds Fax: 01525 721198IEng MK45 5DT Email: [email protected]

Mr F Jaques Member D J Swallow (Construction) Ltd Phone: 01949 842400The barn, Off High Street Fax: 01949 838727Bottesford, Nottm. NG13 0EL Email:

Malcolm James Member MJC Phone: 01422 825992Lower Stones, Bar Lane Fax: 01422 825002Rippondon, Sowerby Bridge Email:West Yorkshire HX6 4EY malcolm@mjconsbsultancy

demon.co.uk

Dr M Kelly BSc Phd Member SAC Phone: 01292 520331LIAgrE Auchin Cruive, Ayr Fax: 01292 520191

KA6 5HW Email: [email protected]

Mr J Lace AMIgrE Member J Wareing & Son Phone: 01772 682159Wrea Green, Preston Fax: 01772 671071Lancashire PR4 2NB Email:

Mr Graeme Lochhead Member Royal Agricultural College Phone: 01285 655030Cirencester, Gloucestershire Fax: 01285 642740GL7 6JS Email:

Mr David Marston BScMember 56 Southway Phone: 01943 874564Tranmere Par, Guisley Fax:West Yorkshire LS20 8JE Email:

National


Mr K Musson Member 34 Woodhill Rd, Collingham Phone: 01763 260421Newark, Notts. NG23 7NR Fax:

Email:

Mr Chris Pearce BSc Member Filon Products Ltd Phone: 0121 353 0841DMS Dip/Inst M Aldridge Rd, Streetly Fax: 0121 352 0886

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Email:B74 2DZ

Mr J Reid DipArch Member Knapp Farm Buildings Phone: 01828 686265FSA (Scot) Quarry Knowe, Inchture Fax:

Perthshire PH14 9SW Email:

Mr Noel Robinson Construction Robinson Construction Group Phone: 01332 574711Group Wincanton Close Fax: 01332 861401Nominee Ascot Drive Industrial Estate Email:

Derby DE24 8NJ

Mr Jim Rogerson Member Farmplus Construction Ltd Phone: 01772 785252Shay Lane, Longridge Fax: 01772 782944Preston Lancashire PR3 EBT Email;

Hazel Ronson Member R E Buildings Phone: 01524 792247Spout House, Bay Horse Fax: 01772 791890Lancaster, Lancs. LA2 9D Email:[email protected]

Mr L Scragg Member IAE Phone: 01538 399200Riverside Works, Fax: 01538 373005Macclesfield Rd, Leek Email: [email protected]. ST13 8LB

David Tysoe Member Balsham Buildings Ltd Phone: 01223 8944047 High Street, Balsham Fax: 01223 892818Cambs. CB1 6DJ Email:

Mr Chris Wareing Construction J Wareing & Son (Wrea Green) LtdPhone: 01772 682159Group Wrea Green, Nr Kirkham Fax: 01772 671071Nominee Preston, Lancs. PR4 2NB Email:

Mr David Wood Member Agriquestion Consultants Phone: 0208 393 0516Aylesbury Road Fax: 0208 393 0516Princes Risborugh Email:Buckinghamshire H27 0JP


STOP PRESS........issued at 13.40 . . 26 February 2001

�Farmers are advised to prepare a schedule of the condition of their livesto

yards, roads, gates etc., so as to be prepared in the event of a Foot and Mo

This survey which could be simply a series of photographs would be vital in

of a compensation claim for the damage caused during a slaughter and cleanin �

says John Scott›White, Tiverton based farm building consultant and National

of the Rural design and Building Association.

Chairman�s Theme:Agricultural Building DesignQuality in Function, Construction & Appearance

We are all aware of the consequence of the lack of imposed constructional standards for agricultural buildings as wellas the

often haphazard functional design. However the scene is changing with many new external pressures including:›

.The Construction (Design Management) Regulations 1994. (CDM) (Countryside Building Vol. No.2).The Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water › 1998 Revision.(The Water Code)(RDBA Journal Vol.

1/99).The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (Water Byelaws 2000 in Scotland) Just Published.

Check out on: www.wras.co.uk› essential reading for all specifiers and contractors..Institute of Electrical Engineers Regulations. (16th Edition).Numerous British or other Standards controlling individual products or installations..Planning Policy Guidelines (PPG 1 & 7) are increasing pressure on the industry to improve the quality of the construction

& appearance of farm buildings. (RDBA Journal Vol. 2/97)

It might be conceived that such codes that are not legally binding can be largely ig

Most agricultural products are now covered by Farm Assurance Schemesthat insist on compliance with all the relevant codes of practice.

This is likely to result in all works having to comply with the all encompassing BS 5502 usi

year life span),as well as the functional requirements for the particular use, as a minimum requirement. Fo

have a level playing field for our construction industry.

However if BS 5502 is to be universally adopted it is essential that it is reflecting cu

It is my intention to focus on these quality aspects during my year in office.


Dick is currentlyan Associate SeniorLecturer in Agricultural Buildings atthe University of Plymouth. Hejoined the Department of Agriculture& Food Studies at Seale Hayne in1992 to teach Farm Buildings,Surveying, Rural Planning & BuildingProcess Control.The Associate (0.6) status maderoom for his Building SurveyingConsultancy work to continue fromhome. The business, which concen›trated on farm & rural buildingdesign & restoration,was closed last year.

After leaving Oundle School withRural Estate Management as adefined career path he did a year�sfarm work before

joining the Royal Agricultural Collegeat Cirencester in 1959. In 1961 hewas awarded the Millers MutualAssociation Prize as the student whodid most tofurther the purposes of the College.

Dick met his wife Hanneke in Hollandin 1960. They married in 1963 andbought a tumbledown cottage for£500 in Creeting St Mary nearIpswich where Dick was employed asa Junior Assistant. The change toBuilding Surveying was gradual dur›ing five good years with J. R. Eve &Sons in Bedford were all three oftheir children were born. Dick joinedthe new Building Surveying Divisionof RICS, after his appointment asBuilding

Surveyor to R. H. & R. W. Clutton inEast Grinstead.

1973 saw the move to Devon to joinClinton Devon Estates as ResidentBuilding Surveyor. As a direct resultof the personal encouragement ofLord Clinton, Dick developed a spe›cial interest in the Enhancement ofAgricultural Building Design and won3 CLA Farm Building Awards as aresult. The purchase of LempriceFarm followed his departure from theEstate in 1991, converting the build›ings to self catering holiday cottagesand another CLA Award (RDBAJournal Vol. 1/99).

Dick�s interests include grandchildren,photography, making jigsaw puzzles,

Profile of your

The One Day Conference,based around the Scottish Borders,was a very interesting and stimulat›ing meeting. Attended by nearly 100people, a large number of whom areinvolved in some way with the beefindustry.

The first part of the day consisted offive different talks, each addressing adifferent aspect of the Beef Industry:Low Cost Systems, A CostComparison of Beef HousingSystems, Waste Management, BeefCattle Corrals and Handling Systems,Using Low›Value Timber to GoodEffect. Each speaker a recognisedexpert in their field, took questionsfrom the floor expressing both inter›est and concern for the future of theindustry and a livelydiscussion continued well into lunchtime.

During lunch, dele›gates were able tomeet representativesof tradeorganisations whohad set up standsin the conferenceroom.

FarmplusConstruction LimitedIAE, IndustrialAgriculturalEngineersMilbury SystemsRMC, Ready Mixed ConcreteStuart MarsdenWoodwaste Limited, Timber Re›cyclingRDBA

After lunch delegates headed west toBrotherstone, near Melrose, to see

an open sided cattlecourt on MalcolmStewart�s farm.This is an excellentexample of a lowcost, open sided,roofed beef cattleunit. Withhandling systemthat is bothinnovative andeffective.

From there weheaded south to

Hartshaugh, Bonchester Bridge, tolook at the effective use of largewoodchips in a low cost, roofless cor›ral housing suckler cows and calveson Toby Tennant�s farm.Traditionally, cattle

wintering has relied heavily on strawbedding. Straw is becoming a scarceand

expensive commodity.Woodchip corrals and feeding of drierdiets are two ways of cutting back onthis major cost.

In spite of the heavy rainfall andflooding in low›lying areas no onegotstuck or was stranded anywhere. Itdid, however emphasise the useful›ness of bothsystems in improved animal welfare

Winter Meeting, 8 November 2000, Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso, Scotland

Low›Cost Beef Cattle Housing, Woodchip Corrals and Shelters

Organised bySAC/RDBA/IAE

National


The Advisory Committee forRoofwork has now published theabove. For anyone involved in roof›ing it is a key document as it pro›vides details of the test required toshow whether an assembly is fragileor not. In future, Health and SafetyInspectors will require assurancesthat all roofing assemblies pass the

test.

Copies are available from:

The Fibre Cement Manufacturers Association Limited,

Ghyll House, Cock Road, Cotton, Stowmarket, Suffolk,IP14 4QH

NEWSTest for Fragility of Roofing Assemblies

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Reader Enq. 004

With the continuing aimof creating a �level playingfield� by advising farmerswhat their responsibilitiesare when a building iserected on their farm andthe erectors what healthand safety precautionsthey should have in place.On the 11th December2000 in conjunction withthe Dorset Training Board,the Group ran a freeSeminar on �ManagingConstruction in a FarmEnvironment�, which wasvery well attended byfarmers,constructors, designersand surveyors.

David Butter of the HSEchaired the meeting, withthe speakers being HazelRonson, Melvin Rose andTony Hutchinson from theConstruction Group andRon Boyd from the HSE.This was part funded bythe HSE, who have agreedto part fund at least onemore Seminar on the sametheme.

This is now being organ›ised for the 25/4/01 at18.30 at the Park Hotel,

Diss, inconjunction with the OttleyTraining Group and theEast Anglian Branch of theRDBA.As further details becomeavailable they will be post›ed on our web site at:www.rdba.org.uk or youcancontact the East AnglianBranch Secretary, JeannieHutchinson onTel: 01449 781577.

Consideration is beinggiven to running a numberoftraining courses aroundthe country on the writingof risk assessments andmethodstatements. it is likely thateach course will be for oneday, when a typical agricul›tural building will be usedas an example, with thedelegates being trained onhow torecognise and assess risks.They will then be taughthow to write a typicalmethodstatement of how they willcarry out the work safely.All programme, courseevent,

National


Construction Group ADVICE NOTESThe following advice notes are now available

from the secretary.

1. Advice Note 01/00/01, �The CDM regulations and thefarmer�: A short two›page guide on how the CDM regula›tions have increased the farmer�s responsibilities forhealth and safety, when a building is erected on his farm.

2. Advice Note 05/00/02 �Working with asbestos cementproducts�: A short two›page guide advising how to worksafely with asbestos cement products.

Advice notes written by ADAS, RDBA, MAFF & the Environment Agency, giving �Guidance on Construction,

Repair and Maintenance� of:

1. CGN 100 July 2000 �Organising Contracts forFarm Waste Structures�

2. CGN 001 July 2000 �Above›Ground Circular Concreteand Rectangular Weeping›Wall Slurry Stores�

3. CGN 002 July 2000 �Earth›Banked Slurry Stores�4. CGN 003 July 2000 �In›Situ Concrete Slurry Stores�5. CGN 004 July 2000 �Above›Ground Circular SteelSlurry Stores�

6. CGN 005 July 2000 �Silage Clamps and Effluent Tanks�7. CGN 006 July 2000 �Sheep Dip Handling Facilitiesand Drainage Yards�

8. CGN 007 July 2000 �Chemical Pesticide Stores�9. CGN 008 July 2000 �Separation of Clean and DirtyWater › Dirty Water Storage › Yard Area Construction�

10. CGN 009 2000 �Bunds for Agricultural Fuel Tanks�

If you require any of the above advice notes pleasecontact the secretary.

Advice notes available to Construction Group Membersonly.

H&SE advice notes

H&SA2 �Contracts will be organised efficiently�H&SA3 �Adequate resources to control risks to workersand others�

H&SA4 �Plan for health and safety before work starts�H&SA5 �Suitable and sufficient information to the purchas›er�

General advice notes

04 �The use of Non›Fragile Roofing Materials�05 �Prevention of Falls (Or the Control of Risks fromWorking at Height�10 �Suitable and sufficient information to the purchas›er�

Advice notes that are being developed for ConstructionGroup MembersH&SE advice notesH&SA1 �List of health and safety legislation�

General advice notes

Design of Rural Workplace Buildings

The above advice from the Countryside Agency hasnow

been published. It can be obtained from�Countryside Agency Publications�, PO Box 125,

Wetherby,West Yorkshire, LS23 7EP.

Tel. 0870 120 6466

It examines some successful recent workplace buildingsfor industrial, commercial and public use and assesses

how they have achieved good design.

Conversion of Traditional Farm Buildings

Part II: External Design & Constructional Detail(next edition: Marketing & Grants)

Dick Coates FRICS, Associate Senior Lecturer in Agricultural BuildingsSeale Hayne, University of Plymouth (Drawings by James Levasier B.Sc.Hons.)

IntroductionMay I start with an apology.It was indicated in Vol. 1 No.2 that this edition would also cover marketing. This is a separatesubject,and so has been deferred until the next edition. I also hope to give some more detailed information on the grant options atthe same time.

The conversion used for this article is my own at Lemprice Farm for Holiday Cottages to get over the copyright problem withpublishingworking drawings. the conversion won a CLA Award in 1997 and was reported in the RDBA Journal 1/99. Most of thedetailing is however extremely relevant to any office type use requirement. B1 category industrial use is less demanding andtherefore included in the comments rather than drawings.

The scope for variation is unlimited. It is important therefore that the advice given is adapted to suit the particular circum›stances. Lemprice Farm is a typical 19th century courtyard range, which includes a farmhouse. The modern covered yardand dutch barn were demolished. had the framed buildings not been built in the courtyard or against the traditional rangethere might have been scope for conversion to warehousing or industrial. (Remember the permitted change of use B1 or B2to/from B8 is limited to an area of not more than 235 sq. metres). PPG 7 (1977revision) is quite clear that modern farm buildings should also be considered for conversion › but note my previous commentsabout thestandard of construction.

External Design: General Principles.Keep small courtyards inaccessible if necessary to maintain privacy of farmhouse and obscure glaze windows overlooking.Restrict large courtyards to access for deliveries only (as per South Farm featured in part I)..Landscape to maintain agricultural character using local materials. No pavements, curbs, street lamps etc..Restrict uses to ensure compatible neighbours when considering overall subdivision & layout. Retain outlying unit for more

noisy/dusty use..Retain or refix existing roof covering if possible, otherwise renew in natural matching..Avoid all possible perforations through the roof. Use conservation type roof lights if essential..Retain cast iron guttering if possible. Any renewed must be black..Courtyard elevation should be as undisturbed as possible..Avoid extensions if possible, especially porches..Match all detail at openings with lintel, cill, rebates, joinery design etc. (see section details).Glaze all windows using tinted glass like Bronze Anti›sun to give appearance of a dark opening.Paint or stain all external joinery black..Retain first floor doors for fire escapes esp. with granary steps, or glaze openings & fix door .Do not use upvc. (Suggest use British Columbian pine instead for durability).Consider cladding new walls in black tarred weatherboard using home grown treated timber (see .Make good any disturbed masonry in matching style & mortar..Retain demolition material for making good etc..Be very careful with levels:›(a) Try to achieve 150mm min ground level below finished floor level.


Technical



External Design: Using ExampleOpposite

Unit 1: Cart Store: 27m2

Small unit › ideal as single studio/workshop, but also to let as

office or store with larger unit. Shown as filled in with small

windows but could retain cart shed opening fully glazed with

tinted glass. Artist might prefer North facing roof lights.

Unit 2: Stables with Hay Loft: 79m2

Ideal for conversion to offices for up to 6 employees with ground

floor store or office, WC & Kitchenette, first floor open plan office

& exposed roof timbers. Courtyard elevation retains original

door (blocked up behind), and hay loft opening glazed in dark

tinted glass. previous blank wall of South elevation opened up

to repeat Courtyard elevation on ground floor. First floor opened

up with pillars (see section) to give Linhay hayloft appearance ›

making interior very well lit.

Building Regulations require min. 800m upstand unless guarded

in

accordance with Part K and Safety Glazed (Part N).

Unit 3: Wheel House & pt. Threshing Barn:125m2

Ground floor space always at a premium as convertible for multi›

ple uses but character of massive elm beams make it ideal for

showroom or open plan office › too good for industrial use.

Division of Threshing barn much less obvious › (might be better

to wait for good prospective tenant and adapt accordingly?).

Solid barn walls need additional matching windows › however

well done the insertions tend to destroy identity of original use

on sensitive Courtyard elevation. Glazing entire original front

opening in tinted glass of Wheel House however is both effective

& sympathetic.

Unit 4: Threshing Barn (Remainder):72m2

Convert to office as Unit 2, or keep whole Threshing Barn as

industrial unit with/without 1st floor? Design of infilling of main

barn doors is never perfect. Browse the country Life for ideas!

Could try all glass with suitable protection if butting up to first

floor, or vertical glazed panels, or black cladding with plain dark

tinted glass between. it must be keep

simple and dark.

Unit 5: Shippon with Hay Loft:150m2

Limited use for industrial with low headroom › usually not possi›

ble to drop floor level, because of shallow foundations. If build›

ings not listed could consider lifting roof › not as difficult as it

might sound. Usually

sufficient to give 2m clearance under beams in exposed roof


Reader Enq. 005

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0700 4 SUNPIPE

The SunPipe CompanyHalifax House, Cressex Business Park,

HighWycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3SE

Fax: 01494 532465

BringingNaturalDaylight into yourHome

from any Roofto any Room

Just Dial

(0700 4

or send for full details of your installation

requirements to:

e›mail:[email protected] site: www.monodraught.com

Reader Enq. 005 Reader Enq. 006



Mrs Alison Bailey, Individual, Wessex,Lower Pound, Silver Street, Kentisbeare, Devon EX5 2BG

Phone 01884 266537Technical Sales Representative for

Eternit Building Products, manufacturers of fibre cementsheets and fittings.

Mr W N C Beveridge FRICS, FAAV, Individual, Wessex,Sherborne Castle Estates, Digby Estate Office, 9 Cheap St,

Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PYPhone 01935 813182 Fax 01935 727E›mail: [email protected] page: www.sherbornecastle.com

Resident Land Agent for privately owned estate.

Mr P A Crawford, Retired, Wessex,Barton End, 50 Fleet Street, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3EH

Phone 01308 862411

Mr Jim Dodds, Individual, Yorkshire,10 Chestnut Bank, Scarborough, North Yorks. YO12 5QH

Phone 01723 362212Technical sales Representative for Eternit Building Products,

manufacturers of fibre cement sheets and fittings.

Mr Rob Gillespie, Individual, North West,23 Haselmere Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 6KB

Phone 0161 747 4020 Fax 0161 747 4020Regional sales Manager, North England and Scotland forEternit Building Products, manufacturers and suppliers of

fibre cement sheets and fittings.

Mr M Goff, Individual, Wessex,Saddlers House, Devizes Rd, Box, Corsham,

Wilts. SN13 8DYPhone 01225 742342 Fax 01225 742005E›mail: [email protected]

Agricultural Planning, Project Design and Management.

Mr P J D Grugeon, Individual, Wessex,Broadside House, Horningsham, Warminster,

Wilts. BA12 7LYPhone 01985 844506

Mr M D Hemmet, Individual Wessex,Cooper and tanner, The Agricultural Centre, Standerwick,

Frome, Somerset BA11 2QBPhone 01373 831010 Fax 01373 831103E›mail: [email protected]

Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor.

Mr C D A Hiscox, Individual, Wessex,Hereford Abrasives, Unit 702 Fordshill Road,

Rotherwas Industrial Estate, Hereford HR2 6NSPhone/Fax 01432 270289

E›mail: [email protected] Site: www,herefordabrasives ,com

Shotblasting › Stonework, woodwork, ironwork, brickwork ›internal and external. Steam and Chemical Cleaning, spray

painting,preparation of and laying of industrial floorcoverings.

Mr Stanley Hill, Individual, Wessex,Culm Valley, 6 Langlands Business Park, Uffculme,

Devon, EX15 3PAPhone 01884 841557 Fax 01884 841134Design, supply and erection of buildings.

Mr S A Kenny BSc IEng MIAgrE, Individual, Midshires,Rural Partners Ltd., The Estate Office, Bridge farm, Sutton

Bridge,Spalding, Lincs. PE12 9QC

Phone 01406 550055 Fax 01406 351284E›mail: [email protected]

Web page: www.ruralpartners.co.ukOver 20 years experience advising farmers, landowners andland agents on farm improvement schemes and rural buildingprojects. Projects have included new east coast port, 200pig an hour abattoir,packhouses and chill stores, beef units,

grain stores, farmbuilding conversions, irrigation reservoirs, amenity lakes, landdrainage and water supplies. Bureau service for landowners,

land agents for GIS mapping.

Mr E Leng, Construction Group, Yorkshire,Ernest leng & Son, Friars Hill Farm, Friars Hill, Sinnington,

York YO62 6SLMr I C P Long, Student, Wessex,

Troy farm, Monmouth, Gwent NP2S 4HXPhone 01600 714602

E›mail: [email protected] page: www.troyfarm.freeserve.co.uk

Student.

Mr J D Morison, Student, Yorkshire,West Morriston, earlston, Berwickshire TD4 6AY

Phone 01896 849250 Fax 01896 848083E›mail: [email protected]

Student.

Mr D Morris, Corporate, Midlands,Hartington Conway Ltd., Sandford Close,

Aldermans Green Industrial Estate, Coventry CV2 2QUPhone 024 76 6022022 Fax 024 76 602745

manufacturer and supplier of industrial, commercial anddomestic roofing accessories, including SAFELIGHT rooflights

in GRP, fillers, tapes, sealants and vents.

Mr A Morrit, Individual, North West,98 Wigshaw Lane, Cilcmeth, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 4NF

Phone/Fax 01925 764482Area Sales Manager for Eternit Building Materials, manufac›turers and suppliers of fibre cement sheets and fittings.

Mr T O�Neill, Individual, South East,Forwood Services/Leith Hill Plant, Leith Hill Place, Leith Hill,

Surrey RH5 6LYPhone 01306 712140 Fax 01306 713213

Design, planning and construction of farm and commercialbuildings, also specialist plant and equipment hire (operat›

ed).

Mr P J Phillips, Individual, South East,4 westside, Tillington, petworth, Surrey GU28 9AL

Phone 01789 343392 Fax 01306 342899Agricultural, building and groundworks, landscaping, plant

hire,general building, sewage plants.

Mr T Podmore, Individual, yorkshire,Corner Cottage, Hooton Pagnell, Doncaster DM5 7BS

Phone/Fax 01977 608099E›mail: [email protected]

�Fastbuild Panels� East of England agent for ACP ConcreteLtd., manufacturers of pre›stressed concrete wall panels foragricultural or industrial buildings. Agricultural Precast.

Mr J O�Raw, Individual, Scotland,102 Main Street, Newtonrange, Midlothian, Scotland EH22

New Members



Reader Enq. 011

Asphaltic 4 colour film to be set here


Mr J Scudamore, Corporate, Wessex,Galebreaker Products, Building 10, Rank Xerox Business Park,

Mitcheldean, Glos. GL17 0SNPhone 01594 545600 Fax 01594 544141

E›mail: [email protected] page: www.galebreaker.co.uk

Manufacturer of ventilation solutions; Rollerscreen door sys›tems, clip on panels, natural ventilation systems › providing

the best of outdoors › indoors.

Mr J M Wootton ARICS FAAV, Individual, East Anglia,FPD Savills, 136 New London Road, Chelmsford Essex CM2

0RGPhone 01245 293249 Fax 01245 293201

E›mail: [email protected] page: www.fpdsavills.co.uk

New Members

SAC Building Design Servicesspe›cialise in rural/agricultural buildingconsultancy. Our staff concentrateon providing aservice tailored to the needs of eachindividual client. We recognise thatrequirements vary and provideexactly the service you need.

SAC Building Design Services rangesfrom assessing clients� requirements,layout planning and providing sketchplans to full architectural, engineer›ingand surveying services. We takecare of local authority and otherconsents,negotiations, tenders, contract

supervision, engineers certificatesand site supervision, if you require.Your project is dealt with personallybyexperienced architects, surveyors,structural engineers and agriculturalbuilding specialists.

Our expertise extends to the fullrange of buildings required in theruralenvironment, including housing anddomestic buildings, as well as struc›tures for industrial, commercial,leisure, tourist and diversificationpurposes. We have a strong tradi›tion and unique experience andknowledge of agricultural buildings

and are in regular close contact withagricultural and countryside special›ists and organisations.

As part of SAC Environment Divisionwe operate through a network ofoffices in Scotland. Our buildingspecialists serve clients throughoutScotland, the UK and abroad.

Contact SAC Building Design Servicesat:

AberdeenTel: 01224 711221Fax: 01224 714591

Edinburgh

Company Profile: SAC Building Design Services

Amendments:Hayes A, change of address to: 2 Fellside, 37 Bingham Ave, Lilliput, Poole, Dorset BH14 8ND. Phone: 01202 708098

(Continued from page 19)

Reader Enq. 012

ADAS Building Designwere askedby their clients, Robert and JeanHenly, to produce a feasibility studyfor the re›use of a redundanttraditional farm building on their farmin Cornwall.

Conversion of the traditional 19thCentury stone barn was considered away of conserving the stone barn asit was redundant for modern farmpractices as well as complementingthe existing tourism complex.

Robert and Jean, along with theirtwo daughters, had moved to thedairy and arable farm in 1987.Shortly after arriving they decided tooffer bed and breakfast in the farm›house which led to them winning theprestigious 1988 West Country TouristBoard Farm Holiday Award. Furtherdiversification followed with the con›version of the former stables intothree self catering holiday cottages.this also provedsuccessful and was followed in 1999with the conversion of an additionalbarn into a spacious 4 bedroom holi›day unit, providing ample accommo›dation for two families. ‘grant assis›tance was made available through theEuropean Objective 5b �revitalisingfarm tourism� scheme to help financethis latest venture.

With the above tourism develop›ment carried out, there still remainedthe biggest and most impressive tra›ditional stone barn within the farmcomplex. A feasibility study estab›lished the demand for a farm restau›rant together with the further conver›sion of a single storey barn to provideeither staff accommodation or holidayaccommodation. This appeared a logi›cal progression in the development ofthe farm tourism business, especiallyin light of falling farm income. thedevelopment would enhance overallfarm profitability whilst establishingexisting employment on the holdingand providing additional local employ›ment.

The restaurant project would

utilise a redundant farm building thatwouldintegrate with the existing tourismenterprise, offering meals to existingresidents, non›residents and locals,with the aim of providing home madegood quality food using fresh , locallysourced produce.Initial discussions were undertakenwith the planning authority and fol›

lowingpositive responses, full planning con›sent was applied for and obtained.The only conditions were the provi›sion of a number of intervisible pass›ing bays along the approach road fora clear divide to be made betweenthe working farm and the tourismenterprise.

The proposals were, and still are,very much in accordance withGovernmentpolicy for diversification and the re›use and adaptation of rural buildings.the mostrelevant document for anyone consid›ering diversification is PPG7 (PlanningPolicy Guidance Note 7 revised).Particularreference should be made to Annex

g and Section 3which coversrural business,tourism, sportand recreation,and re›use ofbuildings and houses. TheDepartment of Environment �Planningand Diversification:A Good PracticeGuide� is also worthconsulting which advises on assessingthe economic and social needs ofrural areas.

The design philosophy was toensure that the building would retainits character and appearance, withminimal alterations, whilst providing aflexible and functional alternative use.

The concept tended towards theappreciation of innovative and inter›estingdesign that would excite commentand encourage customer loyalty andrepeat business.

Typical of most traditional buildingsthe barn had been the victim of mod›ernfarming methods, with the removal ofthe majority of the first floor toaccommodate grain bins. Fortunatelythis had not

affected the structural integrity of thebuilding, which is so commonly thecase.

The design brief was to maximise theavailable space, whilst taking accountof the existing features and empha›sising the appeal of a traditionalbuilding.

TechnicalBucklawren Farm Case


Top: holiday unit barn prior to conversion.Above: inside of barn prior to conversion.

Roof construction of the holiday units.

Restaurant mid constrction.

It was decided to re›introduce thefirst floor, which although constructedin steel, was sized and clad in timberto resemble the original floor structure.The barn is typical of many Cornishbarns, being built into the hillside,affording level access to the first floorfrom the rear. it is from this side thatthe main entrance leads into a spa›cious bar reception, complete withopen fire and gallery overlooking themain ground floor restaurant. On thefirst floor the existing king post rooftrusses are exposed overhead creatingand maintaining a spatial opennessto the barn.

Further function rooms lead fromthe main area providing a flexiblearrangement for accomodation thatcan cater for smaller parties and largermeetings and conferences alike.

The ground floor accomodationincludes two dining areas with accessto the rearterrace as well as the kitchen andcloak rooms. The state of art kitchen,designed and installed by MusitanoLtd., includes two dumb waiter lifts upto the first floor.

The scale, design and materialswere carefully chosen to ensure asympatheticconversion that would retain the char›acter of the building both internallyand externally. Despite a floor area ofalmost 400m2, the proposals onlyincluded the addition of one newopening 9from a window into a door)to provide access to the barrel store.

A lot of thought went into the heatingof the barn with underfloor heatingbeing the preferred system. This hasthe advantage of being unobtrusiveand works by circulating warm wateraround a network of pipes installedwithin the floor. Areas are zoned, fit›ted with a continuous looped pipewhich starts an finishes at a centralmanifold. here the returning waterfrom the floor area is mixed with heat›ed water from the boiler, before beingre›circulated back around the pipes. Athermostat ensures that each zone canbe independently regulated.

Apart from the obvious benefits ofno radiators, which are alien to a barn,and the flexibility of freedom to placefurniture and fittings wherever youwant, another benefit is the higher lev›els of comfort that such a system

offers.

Although this is more easily experi›enced than explained, most of theheat output from underfloor heating isin the form of radiant heat, whichtransfers directly from the heating sys›tem to you, withoutexcessively raising the temperature ofthe surrounding air. Underfloor heat›ing keeps your feet warm and yourhead cool, creating a more comfort›able environment. Radiant heat dissi›pates after about three metres, elimi›nating the wasteful build›up of heatunder the ceiling, proving especiallyeconomical in barns such as this one,with high ceilings, where energy sav›ings canbe as high as 50%.

To ensure heating costs were kept to aminimum, insulation was added to thestructure wherever possible withoutunduly affecting the appearance of thebarn.The roof was insulated with 60mmthickness of extruded polystyrene toform a �warm� roof, together with theaddition of a breathable membranebefore re›cladding using the originalslates. The new concrete floors alsoincluded 35mm of rigidinsulation before being overlaid with40mm thickness of Readymix floorscreed. the existing 500mm thick ran›dom rubble stone walls were not insu›lated, but either retained as exposedstonework or rendered.All rendered walls incorporated awaterproof additive, whilst the backwall below ground level was alsotanked using�thoro� waterproofing system.

The only unforeseen works requiredduring the conversion resulted in thelowering of the existing floor level toprovidesufficient headroom to the kitchenwing. Typical of a vast majority of oldbarns the building had no �founda›tions� and so an approved underpin›ning design was required before build›ing operations could proceed.

With due regard to the loss of barnsand the natural habitat for owls, boxeswereprovided in the gable ends of both therestaurant and the staff unit.

Despite the complexity of the proj›ect and inclement weather experi›enced, the works were completed in

under seven months. the buildingcontract was carried out by a localcontractor, Minerva (South West) Ltd.,for around £800/m2 including associat›ed external works, specialist equip›ment and internal decoration.

The restaurant was opened in thesummer of 2000, and is managed bythe Henly�s daughter Kate, who has anhonours degree in HospitalityManagement.

An amazing coincidence arose dur›ing the conversion project whilst locat›ing �old� bricks to match the existingwindow reveals and arches. thesourced bricks were found to comefrom a farm in Wiltshire, over 200miles away › a farm previously ownedby the Henly�s!

The history of the farm also makesinteresting reading. The original

Bucklawren Manor was metioned in

the Doomsday Book. At that time itbelonged to the Launceston Priory and


Inside barn following conversion to restaurant

Barn Converted to restaurant.



Reader Enq. 015


A carefully plannedand execut›edconversion of redundant farm build›ings can be a very profitable exer›cise. However because the popularidea of �redundant� is of a long dis›used and derelict barn or byre alarge numberof opportunities are being over›looked. the concept of a �chocolatebox� ivy clad ruin as the appropriatecandidate for conversion has beenfostered by local council plannerswhose mission in life often seemsto be the preservation ofthe status quo in rural areas as asortof museum cum playground for thebenefit of the urban population.

The multiple crises in farmingputting survival, let alone profitabili›ty,of all branches of agriculture intofree›fall means that the description�redundant� now not only applies totumble down wrecks but for plan›ning permissionpurposes can also include soundbuildings no longer required forfarming or no longer suitable due tochanges in on›farm activities. Inpractical terms this means thatalmost any building except for themost recent tailor made unitscan be convincingly declared redun›dant. The justification, for planningpurposes, being either that the agri›cultural activity that the buildingpreviously supported has ceased orthat substitute activity forced byeconomic necessity needs a newbuilding of a different specificationand possibly in a different location.(see PPG 7 (revised 97) Para 3.14 &Annex G) Note however that someplanning authorities have yet toadopt the same phrasing and insome instances still use the wordredundant, which is not a require›ment of PPG 7 (revised 97).

Farmers and their advisors

should carry out an audit of farmbuildings. This is essentially a verysimple �what have you got� and�what do you need� exercise interms of covered space. Any unused buildings should beassessed to establish their suitabili›ty forconversion, the most appropriateend use and the financial viability.With disused buildings there is nooff›set cost for the provision ofalternative accommodation. Henceany revenue (capital or income) inexcess of conversion costs can beregarded as profit indicating aviableconversion scheme. Similarly build›ings in use after deduction of con›version costs exceeds the cost ofbuying a modern building no largerthan is actually required for thefarm task thenconversion and a new building willclearly generate farm income orcapital and, as a bonus, providemore efficient agricultural accom›modation.

Planners in response to centralGovernment advice and an accept›ance that farming has undergone asea of change, now adopt a lessobstructiveattitude to both conversion anddiversification. Many local PlanningAuthorities have an order of prefer›ence for alternative non›agriculturaluses for redundant buildings. Inmost cases the first choice is formanufacturing or office uses (B1Use Class), because, in theory,these should boost the opportunityof local jobs. Distribution storage,(B8 Use Class) as opposed to staticstorage, is also favoured because ofjob creation but is often qualified bythe physical limitations of access asmany rural roads cannot safely beused on a daily basis by largefreight vehicles.

Residential use is often low on

the Planners list of preferences asthey tend to discount the contribu›tion to local shops, pubs etc. whichcomes fromadditional residents. However thereis one residential use which oftensucceeds in the right location ›namely tourism and the associatedholidayaccommodation. There must how›ever also be a commitment to thesubstantial management inputrequired.

There are many other uses suchas equestrian, seasonal storage andfarm operated enterprises such ascatering, education, all›weatheraccommodation for auctions andboot sales etc. Obviously, despiteplanning preferences the type ofuse is largely dictated by the char›acter of the existing building. Steel›framed buildings are poorcandidates for residential conversionand likewise a brick and tile makingparlour is unlikely to make a satis›factorydistribution warehouse.

There are several differentgrants available. The qualifyingtend to be complex. Some of thegrants have a fixed annual fundand are therefore available on afirst come first served basis. Inmost cases it is necessary to haveplanning permission and a fully�ready to go� scheme before anapplication will be considered.Personally I would notrecommend working up a schemeto the �ready to go� stage if theearly financial projections indicatedthat a grant was essential for theschemes viability.Much better to amend the schemeso that it is not dependent upongrants butcontained options which could beadded if the grant was forthcoming.

There is no universal formula for

Convert to SurviveJohn M Conlin FRICS

John M. Conlin, FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor concerned that many farmers and their advisorsoverlook valuable opportunities for conversion.

Technical





When a Shropshire landowner,with 1000 acres of arable farmdecided torejuvenate his current farming set›up, ADAS stepped in to assist withthecomplex issues involved in gainingthe necessary planning approvals.

ADAS Building Design wereapproached by Mr & Mrs Crow, todesign a new purpose built farm ona green field site, near their homeof Cherrington Manor. The newfarm, which would take›over fromarange of existing redundant farmbuildings, was to include new pota›to packing facilities, crop storagebuildings, workshop and implementstorage areas. These new facilitieswould allow the business to becomemore competitive, providing modernstorage and handling techniques,essential to preserving premiumpotato quality and strengthening thefarm�sposition in supplying local super›markets and retailers.

The existing farm would no longerbe required, so it was planned thatthis would be converted intodwellings.The proceeds from the sale of thedwellings was to partially financethe development of the new farm.The funds would also assist in therenovation of Cherrington Manor › agrade II listed building, known fromthe classic nursery rhyme, to be�The House That Jack Built�. TheManor had been neglected by previ›ous owners and had fallen into astate of disrepair, making the reno›vation decision a much needed one.

It was decided from the outsetthat a new farm set up was essen›tial. As it was, the old farm did nothave sufficient land area to con›struct new storage buildings.Changes in agriculture had seen theold buildings altered and extendedfor some 30 years, which had creat›ed a sprawling and dysfunctional

layout. steel›framedstructures had been tacked on totraditional brick buildings in anunplanned manner. The traditionalbuildings, designed along the linesof the Victorian �model farm� rele›vant toagricultural practices 150 years ago,were in a state of accelerateddecay.If these were to be saved and theold model farm layout restored,then it seemed that residential usewas the most suitablealternative.

Planning the new farm was rela›tively straight›forward. The buildingswould be arranged in a manner thatencouraged efficiency, functionalityand futureexpansion. buildings would haveclear floor spans to allow flexibilityof use with a size and scale to suitmachinery and handling require›ments. Once a suitable site hadbeen agreed, design drawings andtree planting schemes were submit›ted to telford and Wrekin Council.This gained planning approval with›in the statutory time frame allowed.

The conversion proposals were adifferent stoty. having consultedwith the local planning authorityand examined local planning poli›cies, it becameapparent that barn conversions todwellings were not supported by theauthority and would only be allowedwhere it could clearly be demon›strated that alternative commercialuses would not be viable. This isalways verydifficult to prove and even ifachieved, would still not guaranteethe planning authority�s support,because of otherplanning policies, which limit thenumber of dwellings created in thecountryside. ADAS suggested analternative way of approaching theplanning application. CherringtonManor was in need of arenovation and this fine 16th

Century building was beginning todeteriorate at a remarkable rat.The house was regarded as anassett to the county by the localauthority and it was Mr and MrsCrow�s intention, since buying theproperty 12 months earlier, toundertake this work and restore itto its former glory. Revenue fromthe sale of the redundant barnswould enable this work to begin.

A principle established in plan›ning, known as �enabling develop›ment� will, in certain circumstances,allow the relaxation of certain plan›ning controls if it will result in thebenefit of securing a heritage asset.Cherrington Manor, is clearly animportant local building and theplanning proposals could be tailoredto include an agreement allowingsome of the profits to go towardsthe restoration work. Once sug›gested, this type of approach waswelcomed by the planning authorityand committee, who visited theManor to look at the proposalsfor themselves.

The authority suggested that asection 106 agreement be attachedto theplanning approval and thereforebind the renovation and the barnconversions.Mr and Mrs Crow were extremelyhappy to enter into this given that itwould help fulfil the objective ofrestoringthe Manor.

ADAS have had many years� expe›rience of barn conversion projectsand undertook the design of thewholedevelopment. The proposals weredesigned to be sympathetic to theoriginal model farm layout and willinclude six, 2500 square foot, fourbedroom n dwellings, which will becentred around a landscaped court›yard with private gardens at therear.

TechnicalThe House That Jack Built

Ian Reynolds, ADAS Chartered Surveyor


Pitcairlie House, 2 miles from Auchtermuchty in Fifedates from the early 16th Century. It may have been theoriginal home of the Leslies of Pitcairlie. The tower wasprobably built around 1550 by George Leslie, 3rd Earl ofRothes. The strength of the ground floor vaulting and thethickness of the walls, together with the position of the houseon an elevated ridge protected on two sides by the loch andon the other two sides by the burn and a glen to form amoat, suggest it was created on a

defensive role.

The present owners, Bill and Muriel McLay, acquiredPitcairlie in 1983. They decided to develop the semi-derelictVictorian Wing to provide four guest apartments, with theLodge House providing a fifth apartment. The developmentalso includes a heated swimming pool and sauna.

Benefits arising from the conversion were as follows:Firstly, it would assure the long-term preservation of theVictorian Wing of the building. Secondly, it would bring inadditional revenue to the existing business. This would alsomean additional tourist business for the local community andthe district in general. The project would provide both shortterm employment for the local building industry, and alsolong term employment for existing estate employees andsuppliers.

The Conversion Approach:

SAC Building Design Services were employed by theownerBill McLay to provide drawings and obtain permissions for

the upgrade.

Throughout the design process, it was of paramountimportance that any alterations proposed did not detract inany way from the traditional character and appearance ofthe Class A, Listed Building. This resulted in a design incor-porating as few new window openings as possible.Furthermore, the stone balustrading to the verandah had tobe an exact copy of the balustrading found elsewhere on thebuilding and the pitch of the swimming pool roof wasdesigned so that it remained below parapet level. The LocalAuthority Planning Department also insisted that all materi-als used were an exact match to that of the existing building.

Strict parameters were set as follows:.The main front elevation was to remain largely unaltered.. As few new window openings as possible were to becreated..The drawing room was to remain unaltered..The vaulted ceilings in certain rooms were to bepreserved..The roof over the pantry area was to be sensitively replaced.

Due to the nature of the project, the conversion of an

existing building into four independent units, one of the

biggest considerations during the design process was the

provision of means of escape to a place of safety from any

point of the building in the event of fire. This requirement

alone tied the location of the access stair to the front

verandah, and necessitated the alterations to three window

openings which provide a means of escape. Fire safety also

dictated the enclosure of stairwells to act as ‘protected

zones’ giving occupants one-hour fire protection.

These requirements of Building Control taxed the creative

powers of the design team.

The Design Process and Outcome:

A project of this quality deserves a sensitive approach,with the owners and SAC working together to attain the high-est design standards. For example, to accommodate thepool, the design proposed tp partially reinstate a previousbuilding, demolished circa 1971. Access to the swimmingpool is gained from either the internal lobby area, the gabledoor, or from an existing opening on the main elevation. Theroof line was purposely designed to remain below the para-pet level of the front elevation, thereby retaining the mainelevation as existing.

The redevelopment of the Victorian Wing has been afascinating challenging design project which provided greatsatisfaction. careful and thoughtful design work resulted inthe preparation of a scheme which met te requirements of allparties concerned.

Pitcailie presents a rare opportunity to stay in an elegantmansion house beautifully set in its own rural parklands.The Victorian Wing of the house has been tastefully restoredto provide four impressive guest apartments. These can bebooked separately, but can also be taken as a whole unit,offering a total of three double and eight twin bedroomsaccommodating 14 persons. the Lodge House provided afifth apartment.

The current number of self-catering beds available is 21which includes the ‘Lodge’. Pitcairlie is expanding to addtwo 2 more units by converting other detached buildings.The largest being the stables, also a listed building, whichwill sleep 8 from 4 bedrooms. the second is the CoachHouse which will sleep 6 in 3 bedrooms, both will have en-suite facilities, and available from July 2001.

The accommodation is available for booking throughout the

year. Owners, Bill and Muriel McLay are always ready to

provide a warm welcome for guests. Tel. 01337 827418.

Visit the web ste on www.pitcailie.co.uk.

Aknowledgements:

Bill and Muriel McLay for their assistance and also

Kevin Murray, formerly CRB, for a previous article published

on Pitcairlie.

TechnicalCOUNTRY ACCOMODATION CONVERTEDTO THE HIGHEST STANDARDSDr Mike Kelly, SAC Building Design Services, Environment Division Auchin cruive, AYR KA6 5HW

Introduction:



Reader Enq. 020

Reader Enq. 021


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The Yorkshire Branchelected a newChairman at their AGM on 22ndNovember.

Simon Smith is taking a year outfrom the Committee because of anoth›er majorcommitment. His place was taken byJim Dodds. He is well known to manymembers as the North EasternTechnical representative of Eternit.Jim has provided a fresh voice sincehe first joined the Committee a yearago.

Visit to S&A Fabricationsand C A Group Ltd

22nd November 2000

The Yorkshire Branch strayed overthe border to County Durham for theirNovember meeting, spending themorning at Simpson & Allinson Ltd andtheafternoon at the CA Group Ltd.

It was particularly pleasing to beable to accept an invitation from aConstruction Group member, Simpson& Allinson at Barnard Castle, to seefirst hand what was going on at theirHeadquarters. After awelcome coffee for those who hadtravelled a fair distance, GeoffreySimpson explained how, together withJohn Allinson, he had started the busi›ness 20 years ago in aredundant farm building.

They both had the right background

› farmer�s sons and qualified engi›neers. Geoffrey had spent 10 years inheavyengineering and John had worked inproduction line maintenance anddesign of sub›assemblies. After mov›ing to an old army site they boughtpart of their current site in 1987,extending in 1990 with further devel›opments in 1993 and 1998.

The two parts of the business wereexplained › S&A Merchants and S&AFabrications. The tour of the sitestarted in the merchants section. Thishas become a major supplier ofbuilders� and farmers� hardware inTeesdale and the surrounding areas.The main self›service store is housedin a new light and spacious building,with adjacent stores and workshops.There was a steady stream of cus›tomers arriving › and leaving with theirpurchases.

The heart of the fabrications side isamodern CAD unit with a team oftrained staff. This was followed by atour of the fabrication, shot blastingand paintingsections. Like most such companiesthe industrial side has expanded andagricultural buildings now account foronly 30%of the total.

It was explained that the aim is todouble the turnover in the next fouryears. Their clear management objec›tives make one think this will be

achievable. The overall impressionwas of a very well ordered andplanned business with even the clean›er taking part in staff breifings. thereis clearly quality in all they do.

The party moved on to the CAGroup on an industrial estate in theformer miningvillage of Evenwood near WestAukland.To some this was a new name, butother delegates are long standing cus›tomers.One of these, Ian Gill, had arrangedthe visit. it got off to the best ofstarts with a buffet lunch, kindly sup›plied by thecompany.

It was explained that they are oneof the leading manufacturers of metalbuilding products, in the top three pro›filers in the country employing over200 staff with 100 on site atEvenwood. One of their well knownproducts is a double skin Twin Thermroofing system, but they provide a onestop shop for all steel and aluminiumroofing. They also have a contractingdivision which has completed manyhigh quality buildings.

The details of their design work,again by CAD, was demonstrated indetail. This enables their products tobe manufactured to an exactingdegree of accuracy, a far cry from theold metal bashing image. Althoughassociated with service and quality formany years, they have a new name

BranchYorkshire Branch Report:

Election of New Chairman


Following a couple of meetingsof asmall group of interested RDBA mem›bers who wished to be involved in there›starting of the East Anglian Region,the above meeting was called to assessinterest within the area. As no fundswere available two ConstructionGroupMembers, A C Bacon Engineering Ltd.,and Balsham Buildings Ltd., offered tosponsor the room and buffet costs, thishelped to make the evening a greatsuccess and our thanks go to them bothfor providing this valuable support.

There was a good attendance of 25with9 apologies. Tony Hutchinson wel›comed everyone to the meeting beforehe handed over to David Sainsbury, whospoke briefly on the history of the FBAand the RDBA, its purpose and rele›vance today in the dissemination ofinformation and ideas.

David Tysoe then spoke about theConstruction Group, its importance inraising the profile of the RDBA and itsrole inparticipating at consultation level in newlegislation. The meeting was thenopened up into a discussion about what

could be offered to people joining theRDBA, in the way of training, advice,and opportunities to see new ideas inpractice and learnfrom them.

It was agreed that the Committeewould consist of: David Sainsbury, DavidTysoe, Neville Howling, David Hodge,Trevor Mansfield, writtle College (mem›ber from Dept. of Engineering), Tonyand Jeannie Hutchinson. Those presentexpressed interest in a number of issuesaround which future meetings could bebuilt.

Health and Safety

Asbestos Legislation

Planning

Visit to Sandringham

Visit to Stables at Newmarket

It was obvious from the meeting thatthere was sufficient interest in starting abranch of the RDBA in East Anglia andmost said they would attend futuremeetings. the Committee will meet inJanuary to decide on the subject andvenue for the nextmeeting.

1st Anglian Branch Committee Meeting

24th January 2001

The following officers were agreedsubject to approval at the next AGM

Acting Chairman: David Tysoe ofBalsham Buildings LtdTreasurer: Richard langley ofWrittle CollegeSecretary: Jeannie HutchinsonEvent Co›ordinator: Tony Hutchinson

At the inaugural meeting inNovember most interest was shown inhealth and Safety and so it was agreedthat the next event would be a seminaron �Managing Construction in a FarmEnvironment�. The Construction Grouphas already held two such seminars inconjunction with local training groups,both of which were very successful.The HSE has also agreed to part fundanother one.

It was agreed that we should aim for25th April 2001 at the Park Hotel, Diss,Tony Hutchinson would make contactwith local training groups and the HSE.A list ofpossible future visits and events wouldbe drawn up and circulated at the

BranchEastern Region Inaugural Meeting1 November 2000. Venue: Park Hotel, Diss, 7pm

The Wessex Branchheld its Autumnfield meeting and AGM on the 26thOctober 2000. the AGM was held atthe Nags Head at Thornfalcon nearTaunton. Alan Hayes was re›elected asbranchchairman and Philip Lewis as branchvice chairman. I have been elected astreasurer/secretary. Roy Hughes hasresigned from the committee after 30years dedicated service but still intendsto play his part in branch affairs. Toshow its appreciation the branch invit›ed Roy to be its guest at theCommittee�s annual Christmas lunch.

Two former secretaries; AlexMenzies and Mike makepeace, havealso left the committee. the rest ofthe committee stays the same. Thebranch committee has had ahectic year with the national springconference occupying many a meeting,preventing the branch from having itsown usual Spring meeting. this isreflected no where asstrongly as in the branch accounts

where the loss of revenue is noticeablebut not life threatening. The visit fol›lowing the AGM, to Ashe Farm, beingthe only truebranch event.Following a very good lunch at theNags Head (tourist tip......, situated 2miles from Taunton on the Ilminsterroad, A358, Weekdays carvery, seniorcitizens discount starts at age 55!), wedrove up the lane to Ashe farm to seethe 3 year old sow yards, where 350sows run as one group in a deep strawbedded yard. Feeding and stock han›dling are fully computerised and I can›not remember when I have seencleaner or more contented sows. Thiswas followed by an inspection of thenew fattening houserecently extended from the originalFebruary 2000 size. This is a slattedfloor unit with fully computerised venti›lation. the oldtrowbridge units were due for demoli›tion and I understand that since ourvisit this has been done and the newfarrowing house is under construction

on their site. Regrettably, the visit wasnot as wellattended, as it should have been. Ourhosts, David and Ian Small were veryknowledgeable and informative andthere was plenty here to see and dis›cuss, even for those not in pigs.

Another regret, and here I wear myNational Vice Chairman�s hat, is thefact that it is rare for anyone from theold Three Counties branch (Gloucester,Hereford, Worcester and Shropshire incase you have forgotten) to travel tobranch meetings in the South. I canfind no reference to field meetingsNorth of Bristol since the early 90�s, socome on lets have one soon.Someone in the three counties brancharea must have something, built in thelast three years, that we can visit andget the ball rolling. What we need is apub with decent food to meet at forlunch and a get together and then aset of buildings nearby we can lookaround after lunch. Any ideas? Don�tbe shy, give me a call and we can dis›

Wessex Branch Report


To combat mould growthcaused by condensa›

tion,

Mould Growth Consultants (MGC) has developed

two flexible insulating sheeting systems:

Sempatap for

ceilings and walls and Sempafloor.

Sempatap�s 5mm thick linings can be applied like

wallpaper and provide thermal and acoustic

insulation.

It will raise the temperature by 3›4C and once

Under Cover

The specification andinstallation of cast lead for major roof refurbishment work on his-toric buildings, where high qualitylongevity and

reliability are importantconsiderations, has risen year on yearfor the past17 years.

Shown here is a section of the extensivelead roofs on Carlisle Crown Courtsweatherproofed with Midland Lead castlead sheet, for Design Services,Cumbria County Council.

Made in standard code weights for allbuilding work from flashings, soakersand gutter linings to roofing and claddingapplications Midland Lead sheet is spec-ified and laid throughout the country.

MAKING A CASE FOR CAST LEAD


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Documents

Countryside Building Issue 3 Volume 1