0:00:01 > 0:00:05Over the years, Britain's Empty Homes has been on a mission to show
0:00:05 > 0:00:09what can be done to revitalise and transform some of the UK's estimated
0:00:09 > 0:00:11one million empty properties.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- Hello.- Hello, how are you? - Good, thank you.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17In this series, I will be catching up with some people
0:00:17 > 0:00:21who took the plunge and staked everything on turning unloved houses
0:00:21 > 0:00:23into bespoke family homes.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Today, we will be catching up with a couple from an earlier series
0:00:32 > 0:00:35who were inspired to take on an abandoned property
0:00:35 > 0:00:37after we showed them some of Britain's empty homes.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40I have to say, I am a bit of a windows snob. I think they look great.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43We will also be catching up with the empty property officers,
0:00:43 > 0:00:48who dedicate themselves to turning abandoned abodes into usable homes.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53These old houses have lots of character and it's a shame to let them fall into disrepair.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56And we will be going back to Brighton, to see what has been done
0:00:56 > 0:00:59to salvage the Royal Alexander Children's Hospital.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02People have got a great deal of emotional attachment
0:01:02 > 0:01:06to the building. It is incredibly important that the main building was saved.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Back in 2009, we met Cathy and David Simpson,
0:01:08 > 0:01:13who thanks to the arrival of new baby Cameron, had finally outgrown
0:01:13 > 0:01:16their flat in south-east London.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Cathy and David Simpson had been living in their Victorian flat
0:01:21 > 0:01:25in south-east London for three years, but were more than ready to move on.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29There is only a half room for our son, under the stairs,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and we just need some more space.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35And Cathy loved the idea of a place for the family to grow into.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38We're hoping to have at least another brother or sister
0:01:38 > 0:01:41for Cameron and a puppy for David,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44some chickens and, basically, have the good life in the country.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47It was definitely time for them to leave the city behind.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The area that I would like to move to would preferably have
0:01:50 > 0:01:52a real community spirit,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56where we can make an actual home there and become part
0:01:56 > 0:01:57of that little village.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Jules Hudson met up with Cathy and David to show them some properties
0:02:01 > 0:02:03that could fit the bill.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07They were looking for a four bedroomed house in a village in Kent
0:02:07 > 0:02:10within commuting distance of David's work in Tunbridge Wells.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The first stop was a pair of thatched cottages,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16just outside the historic village of Aylesford.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20One of the cottages had been empty for more than four years
0:02:20 > 0:02:23and the other for three months.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25All right, let's start with this one.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27It's very cute.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32What we've got are two little farm workers' cottages.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36So the challenge here is to weld the whole lot into one.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37But as they stand,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41they are quite small and they do need an awful lot of renovation.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46But if you want a little chocolate-box-pretty slice of England, you know,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49that's, kind of, what's on offer. So, what do you think?
0:02:49 > 0:02:51I think it's gorgeous.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- Beautiful.- It's very gorgeous.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58- From my point of view, this is what England's all about, isn't it? - I thought you might say that.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02It is classic slice of Kent countryside, really.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04All in all, about a quarter of an acre with it.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06So, lots of room to expand, which you're going to need.
0:03:06 > 0:03:13Price-wise, it's on the market for anything between 180 and 220.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15For each one or for both?
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- No, all in.- Wow, that's quite cheap.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Shall we?- Let's do it.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23Each cottage had two small bedrooms
0:03:23 > 0:03:27a lounge and kitchen, but no bathroom.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30With work, they can be knocked into one and extended to create
0:03:30 > 0:03:34a fantastic spacious family home with lots of character.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35Come on in.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- Come in, Cathy.- Blimey!
0:03:40 > 0:03:43It's quite low.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46That is plaster in the extreme.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47That's just...
0:03:47 > 0:03:51No surprise, it is listed this, Grade II.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54So there are issues as to what you can do
0:03:54 > 0:03:58with anything, that would affect, really, the fabric of the building.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02But the thing to bear in mind, it is two old farm workers' cottages,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04so what we see is exactly mirrored next door.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09You are looking at quite an historic number, but you did say character.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Yes, we did. It has got all of that.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- It has got all of that and more. - But have a look in there.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Check that out.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18This is currently... Well, I'm going to call it the kitchen.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20You will see what I mean. In you go.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Wow!
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- Classic old dairy basin, this. - Brilliant.- Does it actually work?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Try.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Wow!
0:04:31 > 0:04:33ALL: Hey!
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Brown water. - Brown water, yeah. Fantastic.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Then it was upstairs, to the two bedrooms.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Come on in. Now, how does it grab you up here?
0:04:43 > 0:04:45It's tiny.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- Yeah. Tiny. Dark.- You could knock that through and make...
0:04:49 > 0:04:51You'd have to make this one room.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Outside, there was plenty of room for keeping chickens
0:04:54 > 0:04:56and growing veg, plus, there was
0:04:56 > 0:04:59the cottage's only current bathroom facilities.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02It's like at a camp site in Australia!
0:05:02 > 0:05:08- That good? Wow!- Like at home?- Yeah! It's got that real homely feel.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Later, we'll see what Cathy and David thought about the second
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- empty property they were shown around.- You can see the houses here.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21It just needs ideas. It's not a complete build.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22Throughout Britain, it is
0:05:22 > 0:05:25not just private buyers, like Cathy and David, looking to turn
0:05:25 > 0:05:28deserted properties into functioning family homes.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Local council property officers work tirelessly to track down
0:05:32 > 0:05:34the owners of abandoned houses
0:05:34 > 0:05:38and do everything in their power to get these places into circulation.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47In Cardiff, empty property officer, Steve Reed has a caseload of around
0:05:47 > 0:05:511,200 properties that he hopes to turn back into possible homes.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58When we met him two years ago, Steve was responding to a call from
0:05:58 > 0:06:02a neighbour, who was concerned about rats in a disused house next door.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05With lots of the empty properties that we go and visit,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08we get problems with pests.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13Normally, the house gets left with food still left in it.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Obviously, that can attract rats.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22This is the actual property, behind the rather large hedge.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26If we can get in.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Right. It's a little overgrown at the front.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Just to make sure there is no-one in before we go knocking around.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46That's a bit of a mess in there, actually.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Letters, bags full of rubbish.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53It is definitely vacant,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56so I will call on the neighbour now and see if we can get
0:06:56 > 0:06:58a bit more information from her.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Hello, there.- Hello. Steve Reed, from Cardiff County Council.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Lovely, yes. - The problems with next door?- OK.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I have had a look out the front.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11- Any chance I can come out the back and have a look?- Yes, sure.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Right, let's have a look, then.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19- So...does anybody come back and forward to the property at all?- No.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Nothing at all?- No.- All right to go on the wall?- Watch you don't fall.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27I will try not to. Yes, it is really overgrown there. The shed, as well.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29It's hanging, isn't it?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31What we're going to have to do is to get pest control in to put
0:07:31 > 0:07:34some test bait down, to see if any of that's taken,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36see if there is anything in there.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Steve, is it? - Pleased to meet you.- All right?
0:07:49 > 0:07:54What we can do is test bait along the actual fence line here.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56The bait was oatmeal,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00used to lure vermin, whose bite marks would then be left on the bag.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Ken will come back in a week, have a look and let me know
0:08:05 > 0:08:08whether it is positive or not.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12And then, if it is, we'll come along and served a notice on the owner.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16If they get it cleared, great, if they don't, we'll get contractors in
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- and clear it on their behalf and then send them the bill.- That's lovely.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Sort it out.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Next, it is back to the office, check the land registry,
0:08:26 > 0:08:31check the council tax, track down the owner, find out exactly what
0:08:31 > 0:08:35they want to do with the property and get somebody back in there.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Today, two years later, Steve has come back to visit
0:08:42 > 0:08:45the property which has now been sold to new owners.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51I'm here today just to confirm that the property is occupied
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and make sure the back garden and front garden have all been
0:08:54 > 0:08:56cleared and all the problems have been resolved.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00- Hello.- Mr Evans?- Hi, there.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Tudor Evans bought the house at auction ten months ago
0:09:03 > 0:09:07and has been busy ever since, renovating his new home.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10My plan was a week to clean out, a week to do the hard work
0:09:10 > 0:09:11and a week to move in.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Ten months later, I am still trying to live in it
0:09:15 > 0:09:17and work on it at the same time.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18I was looking at the outside now.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I think the last time I came here, there was a massive hedge that
0:09:21 > 0:09:23side and the two had almost joined in the middle
0:09:23 > 0:09:26and I had to fight my way through, just to get through the front gate.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- It was a bit of a mess. - It was a bit of a mess,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31but you've cleaned it all up and it looks great now.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Can I have a look at the rear garden?
0:09:35 > 0:09:39The pest controllers did find evidence of unwelcome visitors
0:09:39 > 0:09:41in the rear garden.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43But they've been given their marching orders
0:09:43 > 0:09:45and the site has been cleared.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48It looks great here now, compared to what it was like.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- I bet the neighbours are over the moon.- They're a lot happier.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57Inside, the start has been made on restoring the original features,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00to create a cosy sitting room.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02I think the last time I came, from the outside you never think
0:10:02 > 0:10:06it would look like this. And the fireplace is lovely.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Although there is still a way to go,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Steve is convinced that this empty property is finally in safe hands
0:10:11 > 0:10:15and will, once again, become a treasured home.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17These old houses have a lot of character
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and it is a shame to let them fall into disrepair.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23It's much better to repair some of these old ones, rather than
0:10:23 > 0:10:26build new ones, which aren't as solid.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31It was good to see that all the problems had been addressed.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34The property is a long way off being completed,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37but it is all in hand, so the council are happy,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40the owners are happy and, hopefully, the neighbours will be, as well.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Breathing new life into an empty property can put a serious strain
0:10:47 > 0:10:49on your finances and your time,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53but there are few things more rewarding than putting those final
0:10:53 > 0:10:57touches to the house you've rescued and restored to its former glory.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Dating back to the 16th century, this listed manor house
0:11:02 > 0:11:05in Derbyshire had been empty for five years and was in a terrible
0:11:05 > 0:11:10state when Stephanie and Carl Shaw first set eyes on it in 2002.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12I found this particular house.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16I was looking one Friday night on the internet and found it
0:11:16 > 0:11:19and it was up for auction the following Wednesday.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21I thought, that's probably going to be too quick to try
0:11:21 > 0:11:24and raise the money but, you know, we'll have a look at it anyway.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Came up with my sister and, of course, went to the auction
0:11:27 > 0:11:29and bought it on the Wednesday.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36They paid £245,000 for it at auction and then embarked on an epic
0:11:36 > 0:11:40renovation which was to take them seven years
0:11:40 > 0:11:42and cost a further £400,000.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Once we actually bought the property, then the reality of what
0:11:45 > 0:11:47I'd done really kicked in.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50The bulk of the windows at the front of the house
0:11:50 > 0:11:52were either cracked or broken.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Most of the wooden floors downstairs were rotten. With the exception
0:11:56 > 0:11:59of the main hall, every room in the house has been re-plastered.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01During the process of renovation, we've had times
0:12:01 > 0:12:04when things have been extremely tight and, at that point,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06we questioned whether it was all worthwhile.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09We get through it and it is another day and actually it is worthwhile.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And you just save up and that's why this will be a lifelong project.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18I think we almost feel like we're guardians of the property.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21It's our home, but we don't feel like we actually own it.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24We feel like everything you're doing is ready to pass onto another
0:12:24 > 0:12:26generation at some point,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29so we need to leave it in the best possible condition we can.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36In 2008, the Shaw's house was valued at just under £1 million,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40so taking on an empty property has certainly paid off for them.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48It's been such a good experience. Would we do it again? Absolutely.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Will we ever find a property that lives up to this and gives us
0:12:51 > 0:12:53so much pleasure?
0:12:53 > 0:12:57I don't think so, but this one has been a big chunk of our lives,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00but for me, one of the most enjoyable.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04It's had its pitfalls, but overall, fantastic experience.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Earlier, we saw Cathy and David explore a pair of dilapidated
0:13:10 > 0:13:12cottages in the Kent countryside.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15But to give them more perspective, we also took them
0:13:15 > 0:13:17to see a Victorian villa on the coast.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23The seaside town of Broadstairs was the next stop, to see a large
0:13:23 > 0:13:25detached four-bedroom house, which had not been lived in
0:13:25 > 0:13:28for three years.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32OK, now this is a lot different to our first property.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33What do you think?
0:13:33 > 0:13:39- It's huge.- An imposing front. - It's exactly that. It's enormous.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42It's Victorian, which I know is of interest to you
0:13:42 > 0:13:45and it is full of some really interesting features
0:13:45 > 0:13:48that are crying out to be brought back to life again.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50That's what we are after.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56- Price-wise, this could be yours for £190,000.- Really?
0:13:56 > 0:13:57- Shall we?- Yeah, let's do it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02With two large reception rooms, kitchen and four bedrooms,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05the house had been left to its current owner in a will
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and was now being sold on.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Right, this is quite interesting.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14We'll start in here.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It's huge.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Look at the fireplace!
0:14:19 > 0:14:21What is this? What have you brought us to?
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- It's another project.- Hmm, yes.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Wow.- He says lightly.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The windows are beautiful.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32The windows are one of the real features of this end of the building
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and one or two other details. Can you see that little alcove?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- That's sweet. - Clearly, this would have had
0:14:38 > 0:14:43a very nice, imposing Victorian fireplace, either iron or slate.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- That's gone, but you know... And it's huge.- Is it?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Come and follow me. You'll see what I mean.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Come through here.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53So, you see what I mean?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- It's almost spacious.- Big.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Yeah. And it goes on.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Whether this is an historic feature,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03or a recent knock-through, I wouldn't like to say.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06So much has happened to this place over the years.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10But you get the idea that space is one thing it's not short of.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Now, then, the kitchen.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Dare we look, after the last kitchen?
0:15:14 > 0:15:17It can't be any worse. Cannot be any worse.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Bigger than our earlier one.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- That is for sure.- Yeah.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22- Less spiders.- It wouldn't be hard.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27Yes. As you can see, again, somebody's, sort of, attempted to,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31at least, you know, take the kitchen out, whatever was here.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35But what's left behind is a right old can of worms.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38There was a shower room off the kitchen,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41but it could easily have become a useful utility area.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Upstairs, there were four bedrooms.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46This is one of the four.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- It's big.- Again, give you an idea of what we have got to play with,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53size-wise, quite interesting.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55It is a good size, isn't it?
0:15:55 > 0:15:58In terms of you having something you could grow into
0:15:58 > 0:16:01with Cameron and maybe more,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- this is the four beds you were after.- Definitely.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05The detail is interesting.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08There's... The doors are all there.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Wow. No.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12You're joking!
0:16:12 > 0:16:14This is very '70s.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Everyone boarded over these things,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19bricked-up fireplaces and messed around with these houses,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21but that's now the kind of thing we look to restore
0:16:21 > 0:16:23and bring back to life. What a crime.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I think it's got a lot of potential.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29It's not like the previous one. It's actually a house,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31you can see the house is here,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35it just needs ideas and electrics and plumbing.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- It is not a complete build. - This is a classic renovation.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Shall we have a quick look at the garden?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44With a bit of an overhaul, the 200-foot-long garden
0:16:44 > 0:16:47offered plenty of potential for vegetable patches
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and there was even room for a chicken coop.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53As a town garden, anywhere in the country, this is a good one.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54Yeah, definitely.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57So, what did Cathy and David decide to do?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Did they take the plunge with an empty property?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Find out later in the programme.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06This is lovely and it looks absolutely immaculate.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Over the series, we've learned about some of our nation's
0:17:10 > 0:17:13valuable historic buildings that were under threat
0:17:13 > 0:17:16and the local communities that were fighting to save them.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18In 2011, we featured
0:17:18 > 0:17:22an empty Victorian children's hospital in Brighton.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30The Royal Alexandra was not just at risk of falling into disrepair,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32it was at risk of being lost forever.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37After a valuable 126 years of service,
0:17:37 > 0:17:44the building was sold to developers and the NHS moved to a nearby site.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Now, of course, large institutions like the NHS are constantly
0:17:48 > 0:17:50modifying and centralising their services, which can mean
0:17:50 > 0:17:53buildings like the Royal Alex suddenly become redundant.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54So, what do we do with them?
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Because, left vacant, they're at risk of vandalism,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00dereliction and, ultimately, demolition.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Today, I'm going to be learning how properties like these
0:18:03 > 0:18:06can be rescued and reinvented.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Hello, Graham.- Hello.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11I met Graham Towers,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14local retired architect and member of the Clifton Hill Association,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17which was integral to the campaign to save this property.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22The local conservation association organised a survey to see
0:18:22 > 0:18:25what people wanted to do with the existing buildings,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29which showed a very strong support for saving the main building from demolition.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33We put pressure on the local authority to try and preserve the building.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37In the meantime, the developer, they were trying to get permission
0:18:37 > 0:18:42to demolish the entire site and replace it with 155 flats.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45The campaign failed to get the building listed.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49But the developers were refused permission to demolish it,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52as the hospital lies within a conservation area.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Then, in 2010, a report recommended that the original building
0:18:57 > 0:19:01be retained, but the mish-mash of outbuildings erected over the years, could be knocked down.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04I met with David Brown, master architect.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08The plan was to turn the main building into 20 luxury apartments
0:19:08 > 0:19:11with a further 99 affordable new homes
0:19:11 > 0:19:14to be constructed on the site of the flattened outbuildings.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19Before we go inside, looking this frontage, what are you doing with it?
0:19:19 > 0:19:20Are there any changes here?
0:19:20 > 0:19:24The main change to this frontage will be that the later editions of the
0:19:24 > 0:19:29glazed balconies will be taken off, to form terraces to the units within.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- It was an open-air ward to do with tuberculosis.- Ah.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37So when the children were sent here to recuperate from TB,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39they needed the fresh air.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42The great Victorian belief in the sea air.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- So they would have got their sea air on that top balcony? - Exactly. That was it.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- That's fascinating. Well, I think it's time we had a look inside. - Definitely. Let's go.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56This will be the main entrance hall and lobby
0:19:56 > 0:19:59and all the original features will be refurbished and retained.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Oh, wow!
0:20:01 > 0:20:04It's a big space. I assume you get two flats out of this.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06There will be two flats here, yeah.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09There'll be a corridor running up through the side of the room
0:20:09 > 0:20:12we're standing on, at the moment, a flat at the end
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and then a flat in the middle, here.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Today, 18 months on,
0:20:17 > 0:20:21and work on the structure of the main building is well under way.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Master architect David Brown is on site to see
0:20:24 > 0:20:26how his plans are progressing.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Since we started the redevelopment in late 2011,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32a great deal of work has been done to protect the old building,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34including scaffolding and putting a protective roof on,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37as well as shoring up the building, to make sure it's got firm
0:20:37 > 0:20:40foundations and can withstand the development going on behind it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44But renovating the old hospital was always part of a grander plan.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47As well as preserving the main building at the front of the site,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50we are providing 99 new homes to the rear of that,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54including affordable housing and market housing.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Construction of the new apartments has now begun.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59David Brown and his team have designed a show flat
0:20:59 > 0:21:01to attract prospective buyers.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05There'll be people moving into the scheme from the end of this year,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08early next year, with the final apartments being finished
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and occupied towards the end of next year.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15It's very exciting. It's exciting to see this project coming forward.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18It took a long while to get planning and please everyone
0:21:18 > 0:21:22and we hope we can deliver a scheme that continues to please
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and is a great building, in what is a great city.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28With some of the apartments set aside for key workers
0:21:28 > 0:21:29including teachers and nurses,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33the new-build will not only provide much-needed housing,
0:21:33 > 0:21:34it will also play a huge part
0:21:34 > 0:21:37in rescuing one of Brighton's beloved buildings.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42People have got an emotional attachment to the building,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44so it was incredibly important that the main building
0:21:44 > 0:21:48was saved and that the new-build behind it enabled
0:21:48 > 0:21:51the historic building to be refurbished into its former glory.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Earlier, we saw Cathy and David
0:21:56 > 0:21:59explore the idea of taking on an empty property,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03after we showed them a pair of rustic cottages and an old villa.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05But what did they decide to do next?
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Whilst neither property was quite right for them,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Britain's Empty Homes did inspire them
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and, six months later, they found this 1920s detached house,
0:22:15 > 0:22:20in a third of an acre, which had been empty for three years.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Then began a major renovation, to turn this outdated,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26unloved house into a spacious family home.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- David.- Hi, Joe.- Cathy.- Hi, Joe.- Nice to meet you both.- You, too, thanks.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35I'm bowled over by this. It looks like a beautiful place.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Before we talk about this place, let's start at the beginning.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42When we last saw you, you were considering taking on these two rustic cottages.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- What happened next?- We investigated a bit about the area,
0:22:46 > 0:22:51and it was a bit far from where we wanted to centre ourselves.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54But that wasn't because you weren't up for a challenge.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Your mindset was very much open to some sort of project.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58That's what we were looking for.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01We wanted something that we could make our own.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Then in 2009, the couple found the empty property they'd been searching for.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Importantly, this place was just a short drive from Tunbridge Wells,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13perfect for David's work. They quickly fell in love.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15What attracted you to it?
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Its location was really suitable. We love the Ashdown Forest.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22It's a good size, it's beautiful.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26I love the look of the front of it. The stonework is just gorgeous.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30It's a really nice rusty colour in places. Shall we look inside?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32You can tell me what we went through.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38This is lovely.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40It looks absolutely immaculate.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I'm guessing this wasn't the original state.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- No, nor the original colour scheme.- Right.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50The walls were green, the woodwork was a bright blue and, yeah...
0:23:50 > 0:23:55- It was...- Vibrant, but not quite your taste?- Not quite, no.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- Not quite our taste.- And in need of some modernisation, then?
0:23:59 > 0:24:04- Yeah, it hadn't been touched for ten, 15 years.- Really? Wow, OK.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Map out where we are. We've got this lovely lobby here.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11You kept some original features - the woodwork, the stairs going up. What's on the left?
0:24:11 > 0:24:15- That's a playroom?- This is the boys' playroom and computer room.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16And what's through here?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Through here is to the lounge room and the kitchen.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Let's have a look, shall we?
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Cathy and David have bravely knocked down several walls,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27allowing them to reconfigure the downstairs living area.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29This is fantastic. What a great space!
0:24:29 > 0:24:33What would you say is the most difficult part of this project?
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Everything was single-glazed and it was really quite cold.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40So, downstairs, especially, with the underfloor heating
0:24:40 > 0:24:43we're putting in, we wanted double-glazing down here.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Without sounding like a window snob, you've done the right thing!
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I think they look great! They look really good.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52The warmth is lovely. With the wood burner, you're not losing much.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55That's the key. If you take on an old property,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- you have to make it as efficient as possible.- Yes.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01They also transformed the old extension, to make room
0:25:01 > 0:25:03for this gorgeous family kitchen.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Oh, this is brilliant!
0:25:05 > 0:25:10I love how you've got a high ceiling, right to rafters. Was that your idea?
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Yes, it was all overhead storage,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15full of pot plants and crates and things.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And spiderwebs, lots of spiderwebs.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- How many rooms were there in here?- Gosh.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26A toilet, a washroom, an outside store, coal, coal...
0:25:26 > 0:25:28and the back door area was here.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31How does this space work for you, as a family room?
0:25:31 > 0:25:35- Is it the heart of the home? - We spend a lot of time here,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38and nice having the access outside, with the French doors
0:25:38 > 0:25:40and big windows.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- You can look through the window at the boys on the climbing frame and the slide.- It's really nice.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49Upstairs, they've created four bedrooms, arranged over two floors,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52and they've extended and modernised the bathroom.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56When you look back, after everything you've been through,
0:25:56 > 0:26:01you were first on the programme in 2009, all the progress you've made, you've come a long way.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03How you feel about it all?
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- It's been long, but it's definitely been worth it.- Yeah, superb.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09How important was it that you took on an empty property?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12That you didn't just buy a ready-made house?
0:26:12 > 0:26:17One that hadn't been lived in for a while is ideal for us, because
0:26:17 > 0:26:20we didn't have anybody else's input, we just did what we wanted.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25And you get all the little stories about what you did here and what you did there.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28At the end of it, the two of you and the whole family,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- this does suit your needs perfectly, then?- Yes.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I'd say so, except maybe some space for clothes for you.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- I'd like an extra cupboard. - An extra cupboard?- Yes.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43- We are one cupboard shy of perfection?- Just one, and then it would be perfect.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45I think we'll still keep it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51I'm quite taken with this place, it's a very charming house.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I think David and Cathy have been very clever.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58They realised the rustic cottages weren't quite for them, but they didn't give up.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01They kept searching and found this as an empty property.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04They've done lots of hard work, put their own stamp on the place,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07and now they have a wonderful family home.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd