Serial Arsonist Faces Life Sentence For Burning Listed Building

A man accused of torching a Grade II listed church in Middlesbrough has been warned he could face a life sentence for the crime.

The church on Millbank Street, South Bank, had been previously used as a community centre and a community centre but at the time of the crime lay empty.

The fire devastated the building, destroying the entire upper part of the roof and causing one of the gable walls to be left in a dangerous condition.

Stefan Geary, 49, claimed to have been staying in the building at the time and it was the result of an attempt to keep warm which got out of hand, although prosecutors also noted he had admitted to being the “arsonist” to firefighters.

Mr Geary has had a history of arson dating back over 25 years. In 1995 the Hartlepool native set fire to a building he had decorated in a payment dispute, receiving a three-year prison sentence as a result.

He made national news reports after a spree of arson attacks in Tyneside in 2003, setting fire to Christ Church in Jarrow, another Grade II listed building, as well as two schools, calling the fire brigade himself so he could watch firefighters tackle the blaze.

He received 15 years for his crimes before it was reduced to 10 on appeal.

Because of his long list of arsons, Judge Jonathan Carroll warned that Mr Geary could face a mandatory life sentence.

The Millbank Street former presbytery has been dated as far back as 1881 and has seen previous use as a probation hostel, as well as a community centre before being abandoned.

The Grade II structure had been set for a listed building restoration which would have converted the building into a hostel again, but ultimately these plans were rejected for safeguarding concerns.

Top Tips For Repairing A Cornice

Cornices, besides making any room or roof seem beautifully elegant, also has an important practical purpose of covering the joint between the walls and ceiling of a building.

Whilst the cornice dates back millennia to the era of the classical order, as the top part of an exterior entablature, it was first brought indoors as part of Italian renaissance architecture.

Whilst we have seen so many different creative styles and eras of cornices, the common ground between them all is how difficult a design can be to restore. This is in no small part because of how many layers of paint need to be removed to reach the original plaster.

In some small cases, however, it is possible to do some mild repair work yourself. Here are some ways to make the job easier.

Use a Paint Removal Product

Whilst sugar salt, a wire brush and many many hours of labour can remove the old layers of paint, it is far easier to use a specialist paint removal product that can soften the old layers of paint and make them easier to remove without damaging the cornice plaster.

Be very careful when removing paint, as the plaster underneath it is both weaker and older.

Use Multiple Plaster Coats

As anyone who has made a plaster sculpture will know, plaster is a versatile but frail material that is prone to breaking.

Once you have applied your first coat of plaster and waited for the material to dry fully, apply a second coat of plaster, let that dry and use a dedicated plaster paint to protect the whole design from future damage.

What To Think About When Insulating A Period Property

If the UK is to achieve its goal of going net zero by 2050, the country’s existing housing stock will need to be retrofitted in order to meet climate change targets.

In fact, a recent report from the Climate Change Committee concluded that these legally binding targets - which were ratified in law in 2019 - concluded that “climate change targets will not be met without the near-complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from UK buildings”.

The report went on to note that retrofitting existing homes and making sure they’re low carbon and resilient to the changing climate is a major priority for infrastructure and support from the Treasury is essential.

It called for greater uptake of energy efficiency measures like loft and wall insulation, as well as upgrades and repairs that include plans to improve water efficiency and air quality, reduce indoor moisture, shading and ventilation, and so on.

For period properties and listed buildings, retrofitting may seem like a daunting prospect, but it is certainly possible to achieve with expert help and guidance.

You will need to make sure that you have a solid understanding of the fabric of your particular building and only carry out work that will maintain the breathability of the construction materials, because older buildings manage damp and moisture differently to new builds.

Modern construction involves the use of damp proof membranes, which homes built before 1920 or thereabouts don’t have.

Other considerations you will need to take into account include making sure that you have listed building consent and the proper planning permission in place before undertaking any work. You can run into legal trouble if you do work onsite without this.

Do you need help with lath & plaster? Get in touch with Ovolo London today.

Eco-Friendly Wall Finishes For Your Renovation Project

Being eco-friendly with home improvements is becoming increasingly important and we all have our part to play where environmental responsibility is concerned. An easy place to make inroads in this regard is with your home and there’s a lot that can be done to make your property more green and energy efficient.

When it comes to your wall finishes, there are various options available to you if you do want to be more eco-conscious in this regard - and, because it’s not necessarily the biggest job in the world, it could be a great place to start with eco renovations, rather than jumping straight in with a bigger project like a rainwater harvesting system.

Something like limewash could be a good choice if you’re keen to be more sustainable, as it’s just a mixture of natural clay, minerals and pigments, with no chemicals involved in production so you get a quality product without any solvents or toxins.

Limewash is also a great option for period properties, as it works in conjunction with older building materials, so can help ensure the breathability of the property - an essential consideration when doing up older homes.

You can also buy eco-friendly paint, which is also made out of clay and other natural materials, which has all sorts of benefits for you and your home, including no volatile organic compounds (which are high pollutants) and low odour. The all-natural ingredient list also means these products have a low environmental impact.

Other materials to consider include reclaimed wood, recycled tiles, straw, bamboo and so on, all of which can be used throughout your property to really make it more eco-friendly.

For help with listed building restoration, get in touch with Ovolo today.

Interior Design Trends For 2021

Some interior design trends seem to have been around for years, such as Scandi-inspired minimalism and shabby chic. However, there are some evolving ideas which look set to take off during this year. Here’s a quick look at some of them.

False or suspended ceilings

indecotrends.com lists false ceilings as a popular ongoing trend. These can serve a dual purpose: to hide unsightly pipework, ducts, air conditioning and electrical wires, and also to add an aesthetically pleasing element with ceiling decoration. Some designers even use different levels of ceiling to demarcate space, instead of a false interior wall.

False ceilings are being used more frequently in homes, but also in commercial buildings, where they not only look stylish but also provide noise insulation. They also allow for creative use of lighting, whether concealed along the perimeter to give a pleasing subtle glow, or illumination by recessed lights or low pendant lamps.

Upcycling

According to livingtec.com, upcycling is going to become a bigger trend for 2021, as the drive for more sustainable and eco-friendly ways of living gathers momentum. People are becoming more willing to experiment with re-using and personalising their home possessions, which will hopefully lead to more individuality and creativity.

It is expected that consumers will become far more concerned to buy goods from responsibly sourced, sustainable suppliers, and environmentally friendly solutions will be more important than aesthetic consideration. They will be looking for energy efficient white goods which do not consume excess water and electricity, and electric car charging points.

Timeless chic

In line with more eco-conscious living, interior design will focus on beautiful craftsmanship, which will outlive trends. Second-hand vintage and inherited pieces which would once have been banished to the loft or taken straight to the tip are being proudly restored and displayed in homes. The essence is to buy less, and make what you have last much longer.

If you live in a period property and are looking for listed building restoration experts to help breathe fresh life into your home, then get in touch today.

Bradford Manor House To Be Converted To Homes For Homeless

Bradford Council has approved listed building restoration plans to turn a huge former manor house into homeless accommodation.

With this application granted, Carlton Manor will be able to house up to 24 people, as well as provide health and housing services.

Constructed in the 1870s, the Grade II listed building has seen many uses over the last century, from its initial use as a manor house before being converted into a convent. Most recently, the building has been used as a care home treating young adults with physical disabilities.

However, an extension that dates back to the building’s time as a convent has not been used since the 1980s, and the building as a whole has been empty since 2019. This has caused it to slowly deteriorate.

The planned works, to be undertaken by Concept Housing, will respect the building’s listed status and presence within a building conservation area.

Helping bring the community landmark back into use will itself help to ensure the building continues to survive and thrive, as empty buildings deteriorate quicker for a range of reasons.

Apart from the obvious lack of repairs, cleaning and restorations when needed, an empty building wears down quickly for a range of reasons.

Without appropriate heating in winter and ventilation in summer, the humidity inside the building increases, promoting more weathering, moss and grime.

Along with this, if the heating system is turned off but not drained, the freeze/thaw cycle of water would potentially cause a devastating water leak which could very quickly destroy the building.

What Is Horsehair Plaster?

If you’re renovating an older or historic property at the moment, you may well have come across horsehair plaster, also referred to as lath and plaster, typically a mixture of horsehair, plaster, sand and lime.

Drywall is more common in newer buildings, but there are all sorts of benefits to using lath and plaster, including structural strength and greater flexibility, making it easier to plaster curved or irregularly shaped walls.

It’s also worth noting that, while modern drywall is a more cost-effective option, it could be a false economy, since plaster provides better soundproofing, fireproofing and better insulation. It also doesn’t harbour mould, so it represents a healthier option, as well.

If your home already has plaster walls, it makes a lot more sense to stick with this if you can, rather than replacing it, especially in historic properties where you want to keep the original features of the building.

Not only is lath and plaster higher quality as a material in building work, it also looks a lot better than drywall does, so this is also something worth considering if you want to enhance the aesthetics of your property. It can also increase the value of the property itself, another consideration to bear in mind.

Avoid removing plaster and replacing or covering it up with drywall, as this can make your rooms look smaller and contrast quite harshly with other features in the space, such as mouldings, cornices and so on.

You should also perhaps avoid gutting the rooms, as this will remove everything, including all the original features of the property. A professional contractor will be able to carry out repair work without resorting to a gut renovation.

The Most Influential Home Makeover Shows

In the UK, we’re almost all fixated on interior design and the idea of buying a fixer-upper to restore to its original period glory, or into a modern masterpiece. But whether it’s a pipe dream or a definite plan of action for 2021, we all love the TV shows that inspire us to consider what we can do to our own homes.

With the second series of Interior Design Masters 2021 due to start on BBC in February, this time around with comedian Alan Carr providing the snarky hosting skills in place of Fearne Cotton, we wanted to look at a few of the best interior design shows on TV or streaming.

Interior Design Masters (2019) - Netflix

The original series aired in 2019 on BBC Two, in those halcyon pre-pandemic days. As mentioned, it was hosted by Fearne Cotton and ten aspiring interior designers hoping to go professional compete to win the praise of judge Michelle Ogundehin, with the help of design gurus and industry experts as specialist guest judges each week.

Grand Designs (1999 to present) - All 4

This long-running show, presented by designer and writer Kevin McCloud, focuses on some of the more elaborate and unique dream homes being built by the owners. It typically features custom-made elements that make the finished product not a home, but a work of art.

Some of the most unusual buildings include a domed house in a hillside built entirely by the owner and his family, and a glass house on top of a Welsh cliff which is part home, part architectural monument.

Tidying Up With Marie Kondo (2019) - Netflix

If your budget doesn’t quite run to building your own grand design, then the easiest way to improve your interiors is simply with a good tidy up.

Back in January 2019, Marie Kondo was the queen of decluttering, bringing order and calm to your home and your mind. It was addictive watching, instilling a sense of productivity and motivation, without having to get off the sofa!

If you live in a period property and looking for listed building restoration experts to help breathe fresh life into your home, then get in touch today.