0:00:02 > 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
0:00:09 > 0:00:12estimated one million empty properties.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- Hi, I'm Joe.- Hi, Joe. Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you too.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17In this series, I will be catching up with some of the people who
0:00:17 > 0:00:20took the plunge and staked everything on turning unloved
0:00:20 > 0:00:23houses into bespoke family homes.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Today I will be catching up with a couple from an earlier series
0:00:31 > 0:00:33who bought a dated bungalow in the hope of turning it
0:00:33 > 0:00:37into a place they could call home during their retirement years.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40It is lovely to be here. We love living here.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44We will also be catching up with the Empty Property Officers,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48whose hard work and tenacity keep turning forgotten abodes
0:00:48 > 0:00:50back into functioning homes.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52It is clear, looking round the whole house,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55what an absolutely brilliant job you have made.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58And we will see how the Every Street rejuvenation project in Pendle
0:00:58 > 0:01:00is coming along.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Nine months ago, I met John and Sue Derham,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07who hadn't taken on a big building project for 25 years
0:01:07 > 0:01:11but had just bought a bungalow that needed a total renovation.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15And they couldn't wait to transform it into a dream
0:01:15 > 0:01:17home for their twilight years.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Having retired,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27John and Sue Derham were on the lookout for a property
0:01:27 > 0:01:29that would fulfil their dreams of moving to Somerset
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and custom-renovating a home.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35And they found just the place.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40This move is the last move we're going to do.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- I hope.- We hope, yes.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47So we were thinking practically that we need to be ground floor.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The classic 1960s bungalow lay in a sleepy village.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55From the outside, it was an attractive proposition,
0:01:55 > 0:01:56but inside it required modernisation
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and didn't quite suit the Derhams' needs.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01We're at a time in our lives when we're trying to cut down
0:02:01 > 0:02:03on bills and things like that,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06so we need to make the building work for us.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09We're absolutely considering reconfiguring the whole footprint,
0:02:09 > 0:02:10the whole plan.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15We just need to reshape it so that we've got proper rooms,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19rather than going out of one door, along a corridor and into another.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24The layout clearly didn't quite work for the couple,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and they were anxious to get changes right at the first attempt.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Always like to look at new ideas
0:02:30 > 0:02:35and see the things that we might have missed.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41We can put our own mark on it, do exactly what we want to with it,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45and make it a comfortable place for us to live in.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51When I first met John and Sue at their new bungalow,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I wanted to hear about
0:02:53 > 0:02:54their next step in the process.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55- Hello, guys.- Hello, Joe.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Nice to meet you. - Pleased to meet you.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- How are you doing?- Fine, thanks. - Congratulations.- Thank you.- Yes!
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I understand you've just literally, a few days ago, got this place.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05That's right. Yes, we have.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- How does that feel? - We're very pleased.
0:03:07 > 0:03:08Now, what state's it in?
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Does it need a bit of work? Are you keen to do something to it?
0:03:11 > 0:03:12Lots of work.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15It needs dragging into the 21st century.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17I think we should go and have a look.
0:03:17 > 0:03:18- Yeah.- All right, lead the way.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23The Derhams had recently sold their five-bedroom house in Oxfordshire
0:03:23 > 0:03:24to fund the project,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27and they were already brimming with ideas and plans.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Right. So.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Take me through the layout, then. We're standing in...
0:03:32 > 0:03:34From what I can see here, it would be a master bedroom, would it?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- That's right.- Absolutely.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Yes, this part was extended, which has made a very big room.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Yeah, it has. Really huge.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42It's got en suite as well.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- Yes.- A big en suite, yes.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47We feel it'd actually make a very good kitchen-diner, this area.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48Right!
0:03:48 > 0:03:51So if this wasn't your master bedroom, where would that be?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- At the back. - Where the kitchen is now.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54OK, so it's like a diagonal swap?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- Yes.- So where would everything go, roughly?
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- Haven't got a clue!- Right, OK. - No idea.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02But we've got a good architect on board,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and we're hoping he's going to come up with some really good ideas.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08We obviously don't want to be railroaded into his ideas.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11It's our house, and we need it to remain our house.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14And we may put the hallway through in that part.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Well, if you move the hall, what would happen to the staircase?
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- It'd probably take up part of what is now the kitchen, I think.- Yes.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Which is going to be one of your bedrooms.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25We have lots of thoughts,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29it's just how we convert that into the final product now.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31And within the constraints of the budget.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Very, very good. OK. Well, look,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36if we go to where the kitchen is now, which will be swapped,
0:04:36 > 0:04:37we'll look at that, shall we?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- BOTH: OK.- Great, after you.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41It was clear the couple were planning
0:04:41 > 0:04:43to completely reconfigure the downstairs layout,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45and while they weren't novices,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49it had been 25 years since they took on a big project like this.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51And this is the kitchen.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Ah, OK. So, the existing kitchen.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54BOTH: Yeah.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57So this now goes over there, where there's more space,
0:04:57 > 0:04:58and this becomes a bedroom.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Partly bedroom, partly study, I think.- OK.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05So, a big project. How much is it going to cost?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08How much do you budget for something like this?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Our initial thinking is
0:05:10 > 0:05:13it'll be somewhere between £80,000 and £100,000.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16All up. That's everything.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19We have done it before, so we've got some idea,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21but, of course, costs have changed a lot
0:05:21 > 0:05:23in 25 years since we last built.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- Yeah.- So we are hoping that that's going to be enough.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30And a contingency fund hopefully in there as well?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33A little contingency, we hope, yes.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Later we'll see what happened
0:05:34 > 0:05:37when I took Sue and John to meet Carolynne Kortzeenietz
0:05:37 > 0:05:40who'd bought a dilapidated villa-style bungalow
0:05:40 > 0:05:42and spent seven years doing it up.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Throughout Britain it is not just private buyers rising to
0:05:45 > 0:05:48the challenge of turning deserted properties into functional
0:05:48 > 0:05:49family homes.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Local council Empty Property Officers work tirelessly to
0:05:53 > 0:05:55track down owners of abandoned homes
0:05:55 > 0:05:59and use their powers to bring them back into circulation.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06Back in 2009 we met Empty Property Officer, Matthew Smith,
0:06:06 > 0:06:07in Birmingham.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10He was checking up on the owner of a rundown house whose planned
0:06:10 > 0:06:13renovation had ground to a halt.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I think maybe he has overstretched himself, if I am being honest.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17It is still in a bad condition,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20which I need to have a serious word with him about.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I think some of the windows have been broken.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Stan Hodges had bought this property as an investment.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30But midway through the renovation, Stan's money had run dry.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Left empty, it was attracting antisocial behaviour.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- Hello?- Hello!
0:06:38 > 0:06:40How is it going? What are you up to?
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It is a bit of a struggle at the moment, Matthew.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48The finances are a bit tight. The credit crunch is going on.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49You've done a lot already.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52There's a fair bit of work being done on it, yes.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Just trying to give you that final push, I reckon.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57The further you can take it away from people thinking the property is empty
0:06:57 > 0:07:00while you are working on it, that is going to be ideal, isn't it?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- Yes, I agree, yes. - Get that balance right, yes? OK.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Matthew had left Stan to sort out his finances with a view to
0:07:06 > 0:07:08bringing the property back into use.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Today, almost four years on, Matthew has come back to see Stan
0:07:15 > 0:07:19and the large house that he was struggling to take care of.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21The visit today is probably the reason why I do this job.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24A property that had been empty for three years before, derelict,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27a building site, now, for the first time,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I am going to see it in all its glory.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33New tenants, new story, a wonderful feel-good factor about this property.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35So, really excited to go into the house now.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Hello, Matthew.- Hi, Stan, nice to see you.- Nice to meet you again.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49And you. Wow, what a difference.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Having survived the credit crunch, Stan got back on his feet
0:07:53 > 0:07:57and back to work on this sizeable semi-detached house.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Just trying to remember what this was like. So would those...
0:08:01 > 0:08:02I presume there was a window there?
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Yes, there was a window and a brick wall there.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Because it has been tenanted to disabled clients,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12it was prudent to actually put French windows in
0:08:12 > 0:08:15so that they could gain access to the garden.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Matthew helped Stan establish a relationship
0:08:18 > 0:08:19with the charity Mencap.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21And as a result, Stan tailored the property
0:08:21 > 0:08:23to the needs of disabled tenants.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27It is just incredible to think that this is the same house that
0:08:27 > 0:08:30was here before. It is so much brighter, isn't it?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32I didn't walk through these doors, did I?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34No, you walked through a door underneath the stairs.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35Do you want to show us?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Because it is quite funny to see how it is all changed round.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43OK, so this is where I walked in the last time.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45That was the front door, Matthew, yes.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47So you have managed to get a full bathroom.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49So, what was your thinking there?
0:08:49 > 0:08:51The tenant could not actually climb the stairs,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54just going to use the bedroom next door.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56So you designed for the specific needs of...?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- That's right, disabled requirements. - Pretty good work. Well done.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04With accessible bedrooms and bathrooms both downstairs
0:09:04 > 0:09:07and upstairs, Stan has taken care to make this house
0:09:07 > 0:09:09suitable for all potential tenants.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16OK, so, brilliant, I mean, again, another fabulous change to the room.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20What have you done in here that is...?
0:09:20 > 0:09:21It is a low-level access shower
0:09:21 > 0:09:24because the tenants' needs are most important to myself.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28It's clear, just looking around the whole house, just finishing
0:09:28 > 0:09:32off in here, what an absolutely brilliant job you have made.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39It's been absolutely great today,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42coming to the property after seeing it a couple of years ago
0:09:42 > 0:09:44as a disused house, problematic,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47and now to see the finished article, wonderful.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49The fact is the house looks absolutely superb as well.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51So it is a win for everybody.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54My early fears were that Stan may have taken up too much to do,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56but I have to say, looking at the property now,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58all my fears were unfounded.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It has been an absolute joy today looking around the property.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- Hopefully it won't be the last time we see you.- OK.- See you.- Goodbye.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Breathing new life back into an empty property can be
0:10:11 > 0:10:13a difficult and delicate balancing act.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Particularly if you are squeezing a renovation around the demands
0:10:16 > 0:10:18of work and family life.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21But when you speak to people who have come through it to create
0:10:21 > 0:10:26the perfect home, then suddenly all that effort makes perfect sense.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32In Northumberland, Mary Almond had always dreamt of renovating
0:10:32 > 0:10:35a seriously derelict house in a remote location.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39When we first came to see the farm
0:10:39 > 0:10:42we were just driving along with the farmer.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I said, "That property over there, is that part of the farm?"
0:10:45 > 0:10:48And he said, "Yes, but it is a separate lot."
0:10:48 > 0:10:52And I said to my partner, "I really don't want to buy the farm
0:10:52 > 0:10:54"if I can't buy that property
0:10:54 > 0:10:56"because that's what I've always wanted to do."
0:10:56 > 0:11:01It hadn't been lived in since about the 1930s.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05The roof of the barn had fallen down. It was very derelict.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Before Mary could start renovating this house
0:11:08 > 0:11:11she had to find a way of actually accessing it.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13When we first came to see the farm,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17the only way you could get to this house was on a quad bike.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20It was only once they had built the mile-long access road
0:11:20 > 0:11:23that they could bring in and basic utilities.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28We had to get water from the nearby farm, from a borehole.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33It was prohibitively expensive to get electricity here.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37So what we have is a wind turbine, in combination with a generator.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Renovating a house in such a remote spot
0:11:41 > 0:11:43also made it hard to get builders.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45You will actually find, if you want to do
0:11:45 > 0:11:48a property in the middle of nowhere, a lot of builders
0:11:48 > 0:11:52would not even consider this property because it is too far out.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54During the year-long build,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Mary lived in a mobile home, on site.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01We bought a caravan, and we thought the project was not going to
0:12:01 > 0:12:05take very long, so we did not spend a lot of money on the caravan.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10When it got to winter, the caravan started leaking.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12And when the television blew up, I said,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15"I have got to move into a house!"
0:12:16 > 0:12:19In total, Mary spent around £180,000,
0:12:19 > 0:12:25doing up this old farmhouse. But, for her, it was worth every penny.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29When the weather is very windy, you come in from outside,
0:12:29 > 0:12:33you have got your coal in, your logs in, it is lovely and warm,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35and you just batten down the hatches.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Those are the moments that I love being in here.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43I was meant to build this house. I was meant to rescue it.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48It is my legacy, I suppose, I feel that I have saved this house.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Every time I drive over the hill and see it on the skyline,
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I think, "Yes, that's special."
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Earlier in the programme, we met John and Sue Derham.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02They had bought a 1960s bungalow
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and were planning to completely reconfigure it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06To help Sue and John,
0:13:06 > 0:13:10I took them to meet Carolynne Kortzeenietz, who had taken on
0:13:10 > 0:13:14a dilapidated villa-style bungalow and spent seven years doing it up.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Right, guys. This is the place I want you to see.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23As you can see, it's a bungalow, a bit later than yours, 1970s,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27really good one for you to look at, cos it laid empty for 18 months.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Needed a complete renovation, new windows, new doors, everything.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32It's quite big, maybe a touch bigger than yours,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34but I think you'll like the layout.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36It's quite different, how they've used the space.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41Retired restaurateurs Carolynne Kortzeenietz and Karl Heinz
0:13:41 > 0:13:45bought this dilapidated villa-style bungalow in 2004
0:13:45 > 0:13:47and set out on a renovation
0:13:47 > 0:13:50that would take them seven years to fully complete.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54The property itself was in a sad and neglected state
0:13:54 > 0:13:55when we first saw it.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01It just looked unloved, uncared for and neglected, and dirty,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05but you can see by the wonderful garden
0:14:05 > 0:14:08and by the beautiful view that it had such potential,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10we just fell in love with it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16The location was undeniably a huge draw
0:14:16 > 0:14:19for the couple, who have maximised the available light and view
0:14:19 > 0:14:23to create a bright open-plan three-bedroom home.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28We did do quite a lot of work with the conservatory area,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32because that at the beginning was just a lean-to conservatory,
0:14:32 > 0:14:33so that had to come down,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36and there was a great deal of thought spent on that,
0:14:36 > 0:14:41and the rest of it was pretty much left as it was by room,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45but just decorated and the bathrooms and the kitchen were put in new.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51When I think back to how the property was,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54now, it's absolutely amazing.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57We just love living here. It's absolutely fantastic.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Oh, wow. Oh, that's beautiful.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- Oh, look at the view.- Yes!
0:15:06 > 0:15:11So much lovely, natural light, and a feeling of space. Beautiful.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Fantastic. How is it you get so much light?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Obviously, you've got a lot of glass here,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17but how do you keep bringing it through?
0:15:17 > 0:15:19What tips do you have there?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Well, yes, obviously we've got this huge conservatory
0:15:21 > 0:15:22with this big, high roof,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25which brings in a lot of light. A lot of light furniture.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Sort of painted a lot of furniture as well, actually.- Oh, right.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Yes, to make it light. Kept playing around with it all the time.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- Yes, I was just wondering whether we should go open-plan.- Oh, right!
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- It's a big change. - Another wall gone.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Were you going through the process
0:15:41 > 0:15:43these guys are going through now, where you think one day,
0:15:43 > 0:15:44"OK, we'll do that there
0:15:44 > 0:15:47"and have that there," and then you come back to it,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49"No, actually, that's got to go back there"?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- Oh, yeah, absolutely. - Constantly.- Absolutely.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54We would discuss and think and change all the time.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- I mean, you have to throw ideas at one another, don't you?- Yes, yes.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And bounce off one another about what you're going to do,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02what you think is right, and what he thinks is right.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- Yes.- You're not going to agree all the time, are you?- No.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- And the point here really is a point of considering all the options.- Yes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12We need to spend time there and look at the plans
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and walk through the plans and make sure they are going to work.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Lovely. Well, I think we should see some more, shall we?- OK, yes.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Do you want to lead us through, Carolynne?- Yes.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Oh, this is lovely. - This is nice, isn't it?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- So, this is the master bedroom? - Yes.- It's lovely.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33It's a really nice feel, isn't it?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36And if you've got this nice bedroom to come to,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- then you've got your private space as well.- Other options.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It just shows even with open-plan, you can divvy up
0:16:42 > 0:16:44and have more private, cosy corners to rooms.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- Yeah.- So let's talk about budget. It was a very big project.- Yes.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50- Took a long time.- Yes.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Did you have any idea of what it would cost?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- What did it end up costing? - I think around 80,000
0:16:54 > 0:16:57in the end, really, the majority of which went on the windows
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and the conservatory, obviously.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- And the kitchen and the two bathrooms.- That gives me
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- some hope, then, I think.- Well, it certainly is within the ballpark
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- you were talking about, isn't it?- It's good.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10When it comes to bringing an empty building back to life
0:17:10 > 0:17:12and working with what you have,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and I suppose, to some extent, being flexible,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18what is it they have to bear in mind? Is it perseverance?
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Is it just trying to stay very buoyant and positive
0:17:20 > 0:17:22even though it can be a long project?
0:17:22 > 0:17:23Yeah, positive. Yes, yeah.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Enjoying every day and being pleased with what you've done that day,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30and if things don't go quite right, well, it doesn't really matter,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- does it?- No.- I always say don't worry about it,
0:17:32 > 0:17:33you can always put it right.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- It's not life-threatening.- Exactly. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Later on, I will catch up with John and Sue,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41to see if everything they learned helped them
0:17:41 > 0:17:43put the plans for their dream home into action.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48There are different scales of renovation project,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52from needing just a lick of paint to a complete rebuild.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Over a year ago, I visited Pendle in Lancashire where
0:17:55 > 0:17:59I met a Regeneration Officer who was spearheading a project to
0:17:59 > 0:18:02bring rows of empty residential houses back to life,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05to rejuvenate an entire community.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Many of the houses in the area didn't actually meet modern
0:18:11 > 0:18:15living standards and were deemed unsuitable for tenants.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Thankfully, the local council had stepped in
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and started to revive the area.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Back at the beginning of the project,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27I met Senior Regeneration Officer, Iftekhar Bokhari,
0:18:27 > 0:18:28to hear all about it.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30You had a real problem here
0:18:30 > 0:18:33with derelict and empty properties, what's happened?
0:18:33 > 0:18:37The properties in this area are predominantly two-bedroom terrace houses.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40The housing that was built in 1880 is not actually
0:18:40 > 0:18:42suitable for modern-day living today.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Now here we have Every Street, and that seemed to be the focal point of your development.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Why there? Why start with that?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Well, the whole block was completely derelict,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55and we felt that the fact that we needed to concentrate on that block
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- and bring that block up to standard. - So what did you do?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00What solution did you come up with?
0:19:00 > 0:19:03The solution that we came up with was that we were going to retain
0:19:03 > 0:19:07the properties and bring them up to heritage standards.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Secondly, we were going to create a variety to make sure that the
0:19:10 > 0:19:12housing reflected the needs of the community.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14We were going to go for "two into ones",
0:19:14 > 0:19:17so creating two-bedroom, four-bedroom, six-bedroom houses
0:19:17 > 0:19:21in an area that was actually predominantly two-bedroom houses.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24And here, this street is a really good example, isn't it?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26This is what you are dealing with before.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28This is exactly what we were dealing with.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32You've just got the row of derelict and then these are just finished.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- Shall we look inside one? - Yes, why not?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Oh, wow. It's very smart.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46So, you've got a front room there, this is a kitchen
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and also a big dining room that's been knocked through.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51And then that would be one property originally,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54but you've knocked through to make it two properties.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- That's right, yes.- And upstairs you've got four bedrooms. - And a family bathroom.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00My goodness and this is on the market for how much?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- It's on the market for 135. - Wow. OK.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05And in terms of money, you would say you spent far more
0:20:05 > 0:20:09than 135 renovating this and bringing it up to scratch?
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Yes, so the idea is that we're putting the investment in now,
0:20:11 > 0:20:13but for the next 30, 40, 50 years,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16we have a sustainable community making full use
0:20:16 > 0:20:20of these houses, and as their circumstances change,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23the houses are flexible enough to accommodate for that.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27The council had high hopes of bringing 200 boarded-up houses back
0:20:27 > 0:20:31into use with the aim of eradicating these ghost streets for good.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Today, one year on in Pendle and things are looking up.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Last time you are here, you saw all the scaffolding up
0:20:43 > 0:20:46and all the building work going on.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Now the actual building work is now complete
0:20:48 > 0:20:54and these houses will be on the market for sale in the next couple of weeks.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58When we were first here, just seven houses had been completed.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03Now that figure stands at 70 and the first tenants have already moved in.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06And as hoped for, the improvement to the houses has had a
0:21:06 > 0:21:07far-reaching effect.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10I think it's improved the area
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and it's sort of brought the local community together as well.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16The regeneration of the houses around here has made a real
0:21:16 > 0:21:18difference to the community.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20It's brought new families in
0:21:20 > 0:21:24and we've all gelled together really well.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Of course, a real community doesn't just need houses.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31We're working in partnership with Lancashire County Council who are building a new school here
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and there building this new 300-place school
0:21:34 > 0:21:36because they see that the area is coming up
0:21:36 > 0:21:40and there's a young population and a growing population in the area
0:21:40 > 0:21:43and the school will cater for future provision of that.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46With the council investing in future generations,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48this project really is a success story.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51If we can ensure that the housing that we put here
0:21:51 > 0:21:54meets the needs of the community and it makes them
0:21:54 > 0:21:58stay in the area for the long-term, it makes the whole development
0:21:58 > 0:22:01sustainable and we can more or less guarantee that
0:22:01 > 0:22:05if you come back in another 120 years, you will still have people living in the area.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09When I first met John and Sue Derham,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12they had just caught they had just bought this 1960s detached bungalow
0:22:12 > 0:22:14and they have some exciting ideas about how
0:22:14 > 0:22:18they could can transform it into the perfect home to enjoy retired life.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21We have lots of thoughts,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25it's just how we convert that into the final product.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Well, here I am, I'm back in Somerset to see John and Sue
0:22:30 > 0:22:34and, honestly, if I didn't have the address and I wasn't sure
0:22:34 > 0:22:37I was standing in the correct place, I would have passed it by,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40I wouldn't have realised this was their house.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44It has changed completely. Everything seems to have altered.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47It's amazing and it's only been nine months.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- Hey, Sue, how are you doing? - Hello, lovely to see you again, Joe.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- John, how are you?- Joe.- This is almost literally unbelievable.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- Yes, very different. - What a transformation.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14- Are you happy with where you've got to?- So far, yes. - And you're living in?
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- Yes.- I've got to come and have a look.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Do come in.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20'Sue and John had planned to completely reconfigure
0:23:20 > 0:23:24'the layout of the house, so I'm excited to see the results.'
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Hey, look at that, that's worked out well.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32'It's hard to believe that what once was a dated bedroom is now
0:23:32 > 0:23:33'this modern kitchen.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:39Really nice, really spacious, really light and very modern.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42When we met last time, you had just taken place on,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44you didn't really know what you wanted to do with it.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46It was the perfect time to get inspiration.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49You were toying with the idea of going open plan,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52so how did you end up with this? Talk me through your decision.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57Well, we decided that this was going to be the kitchen. It made sense.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01We decided that we wanted to be shut off, we didn't want to be
0:24:01 > 0:24:04on display when we were eating breakfast in our night clothes!
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Sue, now you're in, how does it?
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Are you feeling pretty smug? - It's lovely to be in.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14It's lovely. We love living here, we like the village, it's just lovely.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18This is great, but there's obviously much more to see. Shall we continue?
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- Yes.- Lead the way.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Now this is really impressive.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26The kitchen is lovely, but this is a kind of a "wow" room, isn't it?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29It's because of this height and this light.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33How did you end up with it? Is this the same wall that was here before?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- Yes.- The same frame, yes, we just took out the ceiling.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Oh, that is an incredible difference.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42I imagined the roof was sloping down, it felt a lot darker
0:24:42 > 0:24:44and enclosed before.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48We gain every bit of light and sun, we gain in here,
0:24:48 > 0:24:54and it really warms the room up and it's just lovely to sit here.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57We've got solar panels on the roof which generate the electricity
0:24:57 > 0:25:00powering the under-floor heating.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03So the under-floor heating is all powered off the solar panels?
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- Yes.- That's the plan, does it actually work like that?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Well we hope so!- Early days yet.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13And that's what's important because this is a home for you guys to enjoy your retirement in
0:25:13 > 0:25:15and you don't want to be surprised by big bills.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And you've built that into your planning.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22It's not just about windows and walls, it's about money and streams of revenue.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24It is, yes, because we're retired now we are on a pension
0:25:24 > 0:25:29- so we need to make sure that we've covered those angles.- Perfect.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32No nasty surprises when we're in our dotage.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35'On the other side of the house, this airy bedroom is a world
0:25:35 > 0:25:38'away from the beige kitchen originally in this space.'
0:25:39 > 0:25:44- This is your master bedroom, yes? And it's en-suite?- Yes.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48And the whole point, is it's all flat all ground level.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- Yes, walk-in shower. - Walk-in shower, no stairs anywhere and it's quiet,
0:25:52 > 0:25:57- which is what you wanted.- Yes, just the church bells on Sunday morning.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Now, remind me what you hoped to complete
0:25:59 > 0:26:02the project for in terms of budget originally?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04We started off thinking that we wanted to spend no more
0:26:04 > 0:26:06than 100,000.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10When we worked it out with the renewable energy side of it,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14it was probably about 120,000 in total.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16So not much over your 10% contingency?
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Is not disastrous, it's something you were comfortable with
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- but you wanted to do it properly. - We wanted to do it right.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Yes and we've got exactly what we want.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Apart from the fact we still have the garden to do.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31- That's another ongoing project. - Yes, that will come.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Guys, I'm really pleased it's worked out so well. Congratulations.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37This is your ideal home now for many, many years to come.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- I hope so, yes.- No stairs and very few bills.- Yes.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It doesn't seem this could have worked out any better for Sue and John.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52They are absolutely chuffed with their new home.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I think it all comes down to planning in the end.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56They were clear about what they wanted
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and how the house would suit their lifestyle,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00particularly in their retirement years,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02and they stuck to their plans.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04And now they couldn't be happier with their new home
0:27:04 > 0:27:08and they've done a brilliant job so I'm delighted for them.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd