The Most Unusual Listed Buildings In The UK

Listed building status is about protecting the history, heritage and character of some of Britain’s most unique buildings, and as such people who own these buildings need to pay this heritage in mind when undertaking listed building restoration.

Whilst there is a certain vision of listed buildings as centuries-old manor houses and particularly iconic buildings, there are some buildings with a protected status that are more unusual, unique and in some cases controversial.

Here are some of the most unusual listed buildings in the UK.

Preston Bus Station

Arguably the most controversial listed building in the history of English Heritage, this Grade II listed large, swooping brutalist celebration of concrete is seen as either a fascinating part of a unique city or a complete eyesore. These two opinions were often for the same reasons.

What makes the story of Preston Bus Station so special is that it had repeatedly been scheduled for demolition by Preston Borough (and later City) Council, but thanks to local campaigns to save it eventually was awarded listed status in 2013.

The Red Hill Esso Canopies

From brutalism to space-age modernism, a petrol station in Leicestershire was filled with fascinating touches that evoked a bygone, forward-thinking age, with the iconic circular canopies having been designed by famed architect Elliot Noyes.

Saltdean Lido

One of the most innovative examples of both an outdoor swimming pool and an art deco building in general in the UK, the Saltdean Lido had a long process of restoration and eventual reopening.

It was originally set to become another Butlins site until local complaints stopped the plan, and first reopened in 1998 after then Sports Minister Tony Banks helped to organise private and public sector investment.

It is also a rare case of a listed building’s status increasing from Grade II to Grade II* in 2011, and after a community interest group took ownership of the building it finally reopened for good in 2017.

Dorset Grade I Listed Building To Become Arts Centre

The future of a historic Grade I listed building has been secured as an application to turn the 18th-century manor house into an arts hub for the region has been approved.

Sherborne House, based in Newland in Dorset, has awaited approval to start work for over eight months on converting the grounds into a multi-use arts and cultural centre, with function, events, exhibition and office space, as well as an on-site restaurant.

Its approval allows for the Grade I building, part of Historic England’s at-risk list, to finally receive a listed building restoration and repair that can bring the site back to its former glory.

Sherborne House was last used in 1992 as Lord Digby’s School for Girls, but after they moved out the building lay empty and becoming increasingly derelict.

It was the subject of the BBC series Restoration in 2004 where it reached the finals but ultimately was unsuccessful in its attempt at getting the £3m Heritage Lottery Grant.

After this, the situation became increasingly dire, as the murals painted by Sir James Thornhill were suffering from water damage as a result of roofing problems.

The first sign of a way out for the house came when the first plans to turn Sherborne House into an arts centre were announced in 2011, and a year later restoration work was carried out on Thornhill’s mural.

It took until 2018 for the property to be bought by Sherborne House Trust, which operated under the sole aim to convert the property into an arts centre and allow public access to the historic mural as well as establishing a new cultural tradition in Dorset.

Charity Turns Empty Listed Building Into Flats For The Homeless

A charity in Worcester has converted an empty listed building into 25 flats that aim to tackle homelessness in the area.

Worcester Municipal Charities bought the Grade II listed former probation office on Shaw Street and converted it into accommodation to house homeless people in the area.

The £2.2m project, now renamed Stillingfleet House was funded with the help of a £1m grant from Homes England and a £500,000 loan from Unity Trust Bank, as well as the charity’s own resources.

The loan came as a result of the listed building restoration, as dry rot was discovered during the renovation process which cost £100,000 to fix. Unity Trust Bank stepped in to fill the temporary cash-flow gap, given that the project will help young vulnerable people.

 The charity themselves owned the building, and chairman Paul Griffith claimed that the building generated £150,000 a year in rent in years past.

However, after struggling to find new tenants and facing either expensive redevelopment or minuscule sales, they opted instead to convert the historic building into flats to help accommodate up to 25 young homeless people.

According to the WMC’s almshouse policies, any person who lives in Worcester who is at risk of or is homeless, has low income or receives housing benefit, and does not have the means to buy anywhere suitable to meet their needs qualifies for housing under this scheme.

 Some of the first tenants to move in have previously been living in the Fownes Hotel, which had laid dormant over the past year as a result of the current circumstances and are expected to move into the new flats sometime in June.

Disputed Restoration Plans For 17th Century Listed Building Refused

Proposals to convert one of the oldest surviving buildings in Bradford into a restaurant and set of offices have been refused, highlighting a major discussion on the importance of purpose in listed building restoration.

Royds Hall, in Bradford, is a Grade II* listed building surrounded by other original features and buildings that are also Grade II listed.

The applicants, Mr & Mrs Hussain from Prohaus Design, had intended to turn the historic outbuilding into a restaurant, with room for offices and light commercial use.

These proposals were rejected due to a lack of detail and concern the plans would damage the character of the listed building and the setting.

The historic complex has a long history, dating back to the 14th Century. King Henry V donated it to the Rooke family as a gift, and it has been the resting site of major historical events since.

At one point the Reverend Joseph Dawson would buy the property and would allow his friend Joseph Priestly to stay there. It is believed many of the experiments that helped him to discover Oxygen were undertaken at Royds Hall.

The proposed plans, which were heavily criticised by neighbours, local historical groups and Historic England, would have divided the outbuilding into four separate buildings, leading to questions about potential damage to the property. 

As well as this, the site is not currently well suited to large groups of people, with insufficient parking space and a single unsurfaced road being the only access.

According to local residents, this lane is already an issue due to be primarily a public footpath that is difficult to navigate in bad weather.

The council did note that inherently changing the use of the building is not the issue at hand but instead criticised a “fundamental lack of understanding” about how significant the building is to the local area.

Vacant Hartlepool Listed Former Department Store To Become Virtual Reality Hub

The former site of the North Eastern Co-Operative Society Department Store on Park Road in Hartlepool is set to be transformed into a virtual reality haven thanks to a technologically-driven listed building restoration and a not for profit organisation.

NEVR Labs, A computer technology studio and virtual reality hub has requested planning permission with the help of Alice House Hospice to open In the vacant Unit C of what is known as Park Tower.

Whilst the former department store is a Grade II listed building, council planning leads determined that the proposals would not cause any damage to the building, the Stranton Conservation Area where it is based or the local streets.

This will allow the centre, set to be used for training, education and work in computer technology and virtual reality, to open, with all of the revenue generated going to Alice House Hospice, a charity that helps people and families affected by life-limiting illnesses.

NEVR labs have offered a range of services, including virtual reality education and team-building exercises, virtual fitness, esports equipment and training, virtual reality arcade games and escape rooms.

The council agreed to the proposals on the rationale that it would benefit the community far more than it affects it, the proposed change of use is acceptable and would not affect the building, and it would benefit the long term prospects of the vacant building.

It would also provide investment to the local area and a unique attraction that takes advantage of protected listing building aesthetics and state-of-the-art technology.

What To Look For When Buying A ‘Fixer Upper’.

If you’re on the search for a property to renovate and make your own, then there are many considerations to make and things to look out for to ensure you don’t find yourself stuck with an impossible task.

Brits love period properties, from humble Victorian terraces to huge sprawling period mansions, but first-time renovators can often be unprepared for the work ahead of them. Older properties can sometimes be hiding a lot of damage behind the quaint character that has drawn you to it in the first place.

So what should you expect when you decide to take on a house in need of a renovation?

Do your research about the property both before and after viewing it. If you’re not an expert, then viewing a fixer-upper can sometimes make you feel way out of your depth as an estate agent tells you all about the property, and you may not know what questions to ask.

It would be highly recommended to take a second look along with an expert if you’re considering making an offer, who will be able to give you impartial advice.

Cost is, of course, a major factor when it comes to a renovation. You need to get as accurate a ballpark figure for the total cost as you can to give you an idea of whether you can afford it. No one wants to be unable to complete a project halfway through due to budget constraints.

While a full building survey on a house you may not yet buy could seem expensive, it is a wise investment so you can then be able to more accurately plan the work that needs to be done. You will also find out if there are other dangers such as asbestos, serious damp problems, and also get an expert to check the electricity and plumbing too.

You may also need to ask yourself if you plan on living in the house while it is being renovated, and for how long you think you can deal with it as it is.

Renovating a home can be thoroughly rewarding if sometimes worrying, venture. If you need help from experts in Victorian coving in London, get in touch!

What Is Horsehair Plaster And What Is It Used For?

Horsehair plaster, also known as lath and plaster, is typically found in period homes but is not commonly used today. However, you can still find a lot of homes with horsehair plaster. But what is it, and why is it called that?

Period properties will always be incredibly popular in the UK, but when it comes to sensitively refurbish a home, you might want to recreate the same features with traditional materials, of which horsehair plaster is one. We have a closer look at what it is.

Generally, although there are some variations, horsehair plaster is a mixture of lime, sand, plaster, and horsehair. The horsehair that was used was from the mane and the tail of the horse. Horse hairs are long, strong, and when they’re mixed with plaster, they offer a lot of structural strength.

You may even find the hair from other animals that have been used such as ox, donkey, and even goat hairs, which some may have used plant fibres. However, horsehair was the builder’s choice, as it offered flexibility, and would conform to whatever shape was needed. For the less-than-perfect contours of the walls of period homes, this makes it ideal.

Good reasons to restore your horsehair plastered walls

While modern methods and materials may be more efficient, there are many advantages to horsehair plaster, particularly for period properties.

The appearance of horsehair walls is very difficult to be copied with modern materials, and the historical value of horsehair plaster walls means the value of these homes would undoubtedly increase.

The density of horsehair plaster walls also means they’re much more soundproof than plasterboard, and, additionally, the plaster is much more fire-resistant than plasterboard, making it a much safer choice.

Horsehair plaster walls are also much more insulated than plasterboard. This will keep both the heat and the cool inside your home better. In return, you might even save on your monthly electricity bills.

If you’re looking for horse hair plaster experts for your period home, talk to us today.

Listed London Office Buildings May Become Homes

A number of listed buildings may be among the empty offices that the City of London Corporation is planning to turn into homes.

The plan has been devised in response to the growing expectation that remote working will become an increasingly common practice even after the pandemic, which will reduce the need for office space in the City and other business districts in London and elsewhere.

Among the suggested adjustments suggested for such areas has been their redevelopment as residential districts. This is something that could transform the famous square mile, which has a far lower population density than most of central London. Before the pandemic began, fewer than 10,000 people lived there.

Under the scheme, around 1,500 homes will be developed through the renovation of existing buildings.  While that may apply to some of the steel and glass towers in the vicinity, many of the most attractive buildings that could make enticing housing prospects will be older and often listed.

If so, renovation specialists used to repairing plasterwork in London may be in big demand if the plan comes to fruition.

Discussing the plan, Lord Mayor of the City of London William Russell said: “The Square Mile’s future is bright and we will rise to the challenge of adapting to the new normal that emerges after the pandemic.”

The City is certainly not short of listed buildings. In amongst the array of post-modern skyscrapers, the City contains no fewer than 733 of them. Of the 32 London boroughs, all of them larger in size than the City, only six have a higher number of listed buildings. By contrast, eight boroughs have fewer than 200.

Moreover, given how old the City is and the dominance of stucco plaster architecture in central London, there is little doubt that plasterwork will be a significant part of the task to be undertaken if this most famous of business districts is to provide rather more in the way of home comforts in the years ahead.