0:00:02 > 0:00:05Over the years, Britain's Empty Homes has been on a mission
0:00:05 > 0:00:08to show what can be done to revitalise and transform
0:00:08 > 0:00:11some of the UK's estimated one million empty properties.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Hi, it's good to see you.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16In this series,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19I'll be catching up with some of the people who took the plunge
0:00:19 > 0:00:22and staked everything on turning unloved houses
0:00:22 > 0:00:24into bespoke family homes.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Today, I'll be catching up with a couple from an earlier series
0:00:31 > 0:00:34who made the brave move of taking on an empty property.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38I'll be seeing just how far they've got with creating their dream home.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Wow, this has changed!
0:00:42 > 0:00:44We'll be with the empty property officers,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48whose job it is to turn abandoned buildings back into homes again.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Look at this for a transformation! It's amazing!
0:00:52 > 0:00:56And we'll see how the full-scale renovation of Sheerness dockyard
0:00:56 > 0:00:58is coming along.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01We are moving to the point where they're going to be inhabited again,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04and that is really exciting.
0:01:04 > 0:01:0712 months ago, I met Rachel and Kevin Roberts
0:01:07 > 0:01:10who were looking to create their perfect family home
0:01:10 > 0:01:12here in the Welsh countryside.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Just one problem, though.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Instead of buying a house, they'd got themselves a cowshed.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Kevin and Rachel Roberts fulfilled a lifelong dream
0:01:23 > 0:01:26when they decided to swap their comfy detached house
0:01:26 > 0:01:30for a derelict rural building in the heart of the Welsh countryside.
0:01:32 > 0:01:38We were looking for about six to nine months for something in the country.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40We saw this in the paper.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43And you looked at it and said, "What do you think of this?"
0:01:43 > 0:01:47And when you first look at it, it's a very ugly building.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51But then we drove up there to have a look and just the location of it,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54the views, everything, it was just perfect.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55It was the space as well, wasn't it?
0:01:55 > 0:01:58And it was a case of, "What could we do with that building?"
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Cos when you look at it, it's a cowshed.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02A cowshed, indeed.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06And the Roberts snapped it up at auction for £102,000.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13The sheer size of it and the space,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16that's when I could start to see the potential.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Kevin and Rachel had a budget of £170,000 to transform
0:02:20 > 0:02:23the former cattle milking shed into their family home.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The main thing is keeping it on track and on budget.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30I wouldn't want to be in a position that I put my family at risk,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34because of the finances, so it's going to have to be on budget.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38The builders were already at work on the structure,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41but DIY enthusiast Kevin decided to
0:02:41 > 0:02:43take on a lot of the renovation himself,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47despite a full-time job in the Fire and Rescue Service.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54If I get it wrong then we'll either end up with no barn, or no family,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58or no job! So, it's getting everything right, isn't it?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And making sure that, when we do move into the property,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03it does actually turn out to be our dream
0:03:03 > 0:03:06and not something that's caused issues for us.
0:03:08 > 0:03:1112 months ago, I went to meet up with Kevin and Rachel
0:03:11 > 0:03:14on the plot of farmland they were determined to call home.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Hi, guys, nice to meet you. Kevin. - This is my wife, Rachel.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Hi, nice to meet you. - So, this is your place?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- What is it, a former cowshed? - It's an old milking barn.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27They used to bring the cows in, feed them,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- and take the milk before sending it off to the supermarkets.- Great.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- It's a very unusual place. Can we go and have a look inside?- Yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38With planning permission already agreed,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41they intended to retain the building's original features
0:03:41 > 0:03:42and exposed brickwork
0:03:42 > 0:03:44and turn it into four bedrooms, four bathrooms,
0:03:44 > 0:03:50an open plan kitchen-diner and a large family area.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51So, it really is a big shed!
0:03:51 > 0:03:55How different was it when you bought it, when you took it on?
0:03:55 > 0:03:58When we bought it, it had a concrete floor.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01It had a central walkway going right through the middle
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and two rooms, here, which Kevin has knocked down now.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08In terms of who's doing the work, are you taking this on now?
0:04:08 > 0:04:11I'll be putting the plumbing in, the bathroom suites,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15underfloor heating, the kitchen and also the spiral cellar.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Goodness, that's huge!
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Of course, doing the work yourself, a great way to save money.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Was that the key motivation? Or more that you wanted to learn,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- or that you want to control what was going on?- It was both.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28We've got a set amount of money, certain things that we want
0:04:28 > 0:04:31and, to do that, a lot of the work I've had to do myself.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37The 1960s cattle shed had stood empty for four years
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and, in common with many properties in isolated settings,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44there was something else to think about...
0:04:44 > 0:04:46What about heating, gas, electricity?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I assume you're not on gas if you're in a cowshed.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52There's no mains gas. For the heating, the options were LPG, oil
0:04:52 > 0:04:55or look for sustainable measures, which is what we're looking at.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Depending on what heating option you go for,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- some of these systems require quite a lot of investment.- They do, yeah.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Let's talk about budget. What's the budget for the whole renovation?
0:05:04 > 0:05:06For the whole renovation, the budget is £170,000.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10And how confident are you keeping within that budget?
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Any surprises come up in the bill, we can push it a little bit more,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16but we're just going to have to manage that
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and make savings elsewhere if we need to.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21OK. What's the timescale? When do you plan to move in?
0:05:21 > 0:05:25My view is, possibly summer 2013, we'll be in here.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28The building, I feel, will be finished by Christmas.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29That's interesting.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33So, you'll have a situation where you have actually probably quite an attractive shell -
0:05:33 > 0:05:36it's been fitted out, it's got a new roof, it's got the floors and it's got all that,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40but you're going to have to wait for your one or two days off a week
0:05:40 > 0:05:42to actually get in, fit the kitchen, do the driveway,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45do all this other stuff. It's going to be quite a frustrating time.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Are you ready for this as a couple?
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- I think we'll manage. - I think we'll be all right, yeah.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- Still smiling at the moment. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- That's the smile of a couple six months in!- Yeah!
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- As opposed to 18 months. - Come back in a year!
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Later, we'll see what happened when I took Kevin and Rachel to meet
0:06:02 > 0:06:05a couple who'd taken on a dilapidated cowshed of their own.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08You've just got to go with your gut feeling.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Throughout the country,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11it's not just private buyers like Kevin and Rachel
0:06:11 > 0:06:14rising to the challenge of turning deserted properties
0:06:14 > 0:06:16into functioning family homes.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Local council empty property officers work tirelessly
0:06:19 > 0:06:22to track down the owners of abandoned houses
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and do everything in their power
0:06:24 > 0:06:27to get these places back into circulation.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35Back in 2011, we met empty property officer Sue Lee in Derbyshire.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39She'd been dealing with a couple who applied for an interest-free loan
0:06:39 > 0:06:41from the council to renovate their house.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46We only have a small number of loans that we can offer each year.
0:06:46 > 0:06:52These are to help owners who are struggling with the finances
0:06:52 > 0:06:54to bring the properties back into use.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58June and Mark had already spent a year renovating,
0:06:58 > 0:06:59but it was still uninhabitable.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- Hi, June. Can I come in? - Yeah, of course you can.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Once I take you around and show you the rest,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09you'll kind of see that there was a lot more work involved
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- than what we initially thought there would be.- OK.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15With the local council close to approving a loan for June and Mark,
0:07:15 > 0:07:20Sue had wanted to see exactly what the council funds would be used for.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21Right, this is the kitchen.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25We've got this far with it and this is one of the main areas
0:07:25 > 0:07:27where we'd like your help.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30It would help us to speed the process up
0:07:30 > 0:07:32of getting us in here and living.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36The council offers loans to help owners renovate empty properties
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and get them in there a lot quicker than otherwise would have happened.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44That's up to a maximum of 15,000.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48It won't just be the kitchen. We'll have to look at the whole property
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and everything that needs doing,
0:07:50 > 0:07:55because we need it to meet a certain basic minimum standard all over.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58These don't have to be repaid until the property's sold
0:07:58 > 0:08:01or there's a change in ownership in the future.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07I'm just making some notes now of the basic things
0:08:07 > 0:08:11that we need to see happen to make this property habitable.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I'm then going to be able to process the loan application,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16so we don't hold them up any longer and they can get their finance
0:08:16 > 0:08:18and move in the property is quickly as possible.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Thank you.- Thank you very much, my love.- Bye!- Really appreciate it.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24'It was lovely meeting Mark and June.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27'They're putting their heart and soul into this property.'
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I'm going to get this loan processed as quickly as possible
0:08:30 > 0:08:32so we can get them in for Christmas.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36True to her word, Sue got the loan approved
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and today, just over a year later, she's back.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Hi, Sue, come on in.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Thank you.- Hi, Sue, welcome. - Hi, Mark.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49A large portion of the loan that June and Mark received
0:08:49 > 0:08:53was spent on making the downstairs living space habitable again.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Oh, this is stunning!
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Yeah, we've got a log burner in now, the hearth done,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01the light fitting thing up on the ceiling as well.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05It's hard to believe that, just over a year ago,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08June and Mark were struggling to complete work in the house
0:09:08 > 0:09:11or pay for the installation of basic utilities.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12The money we had was great.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17I mean, it's speeded up the job by at least nine months, if not a year.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- It's fabulous! - Come on through to the kitchen.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27This is it.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Wow, look at this for a transformation!
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Big difference from last time.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- I think the scaffolding was still here...- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43Just been plastered, I think. We'd just got the plaster on the wall.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46This is so different to what I normally see.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49I normally see things that are in a state of disrepair,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52or there's rubbish and refuse,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54but it's great to be able to come and see.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- Nice to come and see the other end of the scale.- Absolutely.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02And a kitchen that I would just want to take home with me! Oh!
0:10:07 > 0:10:12Throughout the house, the transformations continue.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17And it's clearly a success story for Sue Lee and everyone involved.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20The money's been well-spent. How wonderful
0:10:20 > 0:10:23to see the personal touches.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28The touches that make...well, a house a home.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33Finding somewhere in the right location at the right price
0:10:33 > 0:10:36can be just the beginning of a long and arduous journey.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39But with imagination, not to mention quite a lot of hard graft,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42really anything is possible.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47'And imagination was exactly what was needed
0:10:47 > 0:10:50'when Stephanie Renouf snapped up this 1980s detached house
0:10:50 > 0:10:54'on the Suffolk coast.'
0:10:54 > 0:10:56When we got the keys, I just felt a combination of excitement
0:10:56 > 0:10:58and fear, really.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Being slightly scared, thinking,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03"What have we taken on and how are we going to do this?"
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Inspired by the coastal location,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Stephanie had a vision -
0:11:12 > 0:11:15to create the look of an American-style beach house.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21And having the foresight to take on an empty property
0:11:21 > 0:11:22really paid off.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24She achieved this transformation for less
0:11:24 > 0:11:27than you'd normally pay for a finished house of this size.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31We bought the house for £325,000.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36And we spent roughly 150,000 on it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Value now is probably about
0:11:39 > 0:11:41600,000 to 650,000.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51I love living here. This is the place where I've always wanted to live.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54In terms of whether I'm about to put the house up for sale,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56absolutely not.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58I would happily do another project,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01because I love doing projects and renovations
0:12:01 > 0:12:03and it's great to be able to look back and think,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06"Yes, I have achieved something and made something out of nothing."
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'Earlier in the programme, we met Kevin and Rachel Roberts,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17'who'd bought a former milking shed
0:12:17 > 0:12:20'which they planned to turn into a family home.'
0:12:23 > 0:12:25'To inspire Kevin and Rachel,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27'I took them to meet Roy Everson and Claire Edwards,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30'who created a modern, cosy home
0:12:30 > 0:12:33'out of the shell of an old barn.'
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Right, guys, this is the place I want you to see.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38Clearly, it's an old barn.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41In fact, it was a cowshed, which sounds very familiar.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43When the owners Roy and Claire took it on,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46encouragingly, they paid a similar amount to you -
0:12:46 > 0:12:48about £100,000 for the barn.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Cheers.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52'Roy Everson and Claire Edwards bought their dream project
0:12:52 > 0:12:54'four years ago,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57'after it had been empty for a staggering 25 years.'
0:12:57 > 0:12:59It was in quite a mess, really.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02It was derelict, basically.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It was going to fall down if something wasn't done to it.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07We spotted the potential
0:13:07 > 0:13:09and then we got together with the owners
0:13:09 > 0:13:11and the deal was done.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14One year later, the conversion was complete.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18In addition to the spacious lounge,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20the barn had three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23and an open-plan kitchen/diner.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30They used as much of the original wood as possible.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Total costs came to £100,000.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35And Roy's skills and contacts as a builder
0:13:35 > 0:13:38proved very useful.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41The guys that work for me now have done for years.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43It did make the job a lot easier
0:13:43 > 0:13:44than it possibly would have been
0:13:44 > 0:13:47for somebody trying to achieve it on their own
0:13:47 > 0:13:49without the knowledge we've got.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51We've taken something which was possibly an eyesore
0:13:51 > 0:13:54and brought it to something people would go by and say,
0:13:54 > 0:13:55"That's turned out nice."
0:13:55 > 0:13:58That does give you pleasure.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Right.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Wow, look at this.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09These guys had very clear features to work with
0:14:09 > 0:14:13and had to go with the wood look and make it as sympathetic as possible.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15How far have you got in deciding
0:14:15 > 0:14:18the look and the feel inside?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Will you celebrate the concrete beams or cover them up?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Do you know which way you'll go?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26We're not really sure yet. We'll have to see what it looks like
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- further on down the line and how much of those concrete beams are exposed...- Right.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32..as to what we do with them.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The vision that we've got might change slightly
0:14:35 > 0:14:38because we'll see what's actually being built up in front of us.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40It's quite fluid, really.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Fluid's the word, because,
0:14:42 > 0:14:43as you get into the build,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46you'll then see what's there and what you can utilise.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48You have under-floor heating here.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50How do you power it? Presumably there's no gas here?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Well, we did research on this before...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55various methods,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57and we came up with air-source heating.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Powered by electric, very economical to run.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02The unit was about £5,000.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I cannot find a fault.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06What amazes me is why more people don't use it. But there we are.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10This is clearly something you are clearly looking into - does that sound encouraging?
0:15:10 > 0:15:14It does. I've been looking at the ground-source heat,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16but I'll have to dig a trench to put that in.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19It's a lot dearer than what he's quoted of £5,000.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21It's more than double,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23so that's certainly an option
0:15:23 > 0:15:25that we can look into.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27'With the Roberts' conversion
0:15:27 > 0:15:29'barely past the blueprint stage,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32'seeing this place was sure to give them plenty of ideas
0:15:32 > 0:15:34'for use of space,
0:15:34 > 0:15:35'particularly in the kitchen.'
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Right. Really good-sized kitchen.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40I imagine
0:15:40 > 0:15:43it's not too dissimilar from the size your kitchen will be.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Yeah, it's certainly useful to actually see
0:15:46 > 0:15:49what it could look like,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and it makes me realise how big the kitchen is going to be
0:15:53 > 0:15:55and what we can fit in.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56Rachel and Kevin's big challenge
0:15:56 > 0:16:00is trying to stay not just within budget
0:16:00 > 0:16:02but also trying to get work to proceed
0:16:02 > 0:16:05as quickly as possible so they can actually get into the house.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Any advice on how you balance those two priorities?
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I think a big part of it is getting the right tradesmen to start with.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15There's some absolutely fantastic tradesmen in the country
0:16:15 > 0:16:18and you just have to go with your gut feeling.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I suppose it's inevitable at some point
0:16:21 > 0:16:24that frustration will build, that progress isn't quick enough.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Any advice on that front?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28The only thing I would say to you both is
0:16:28 > 0:16:30you can get bogged down in things.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31Don't be afraid to stand back.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Have a weekend away.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35You'll lose two days and make up ten,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38because you come back with a totally different light,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41the weight's off your back and you're fresh to it.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42It does work.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43Two days with the kids as well.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- You can actually be a normal family for a weekend.- BOTH: Yeah.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Roy, thank you so much for showing us round today.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52I'm pleased it's been such a success and you have a great home here
0:16:52 > 0:16:54and hopefully, guys, it's been very useful for you, too.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- Yeah, really useful.- No problem.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58How have you found today, guys?
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Has it been useful to have a look round?
0:17:01 > 0:17:04It's been inspiring to see the finished products.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08And certainly the advice that's been given by Roy,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10especially with regards to the air-source heat pump.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Anything for you, Rachel, that stands out?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I've just enjoyed seeing the final finish, really -
0:17:16 > 0:17:19seeing the kitchen, the layout and how it's all come together as a home.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Yeah. And the thing that stood out for me was Roy's advice
0:17:22 > 0:17:23to take a bit of time out.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Every now and again, just back off for a weekend.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Yeah, it's ensuring that
0:17:28 > 0:17:31I do take time for the family,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34but it will also help to ensure
0:17:34 > 0:17:37that what we're building there is what we both want
0:17:37 > 0:17:39and not what I just think we want...
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and I go ahead.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43It's all ahead of you, it's a really exciting place.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46It'll be huge, everything you wanted. So, good luck.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I hope it turns out really well.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53'From stunning renovations to period properties.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56'Even the most beautiful of buildings can fall into disrepair.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58'In Sheerness in North Kent,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01'the 17th-century dockyards
0:18:01 > 0:18:04'were not just the central hub for Royal Navy warships,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06'but also home to an impressive array
0:18:06 > 0:18:09'of Grade II listed domestic buildings.'
0:18:09 > 0:18:12'We went to look around the area 14 months ago.'
0:18:12 > 0:18:16With such an incredible wealth of history here,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19it's no wonder people are passionate about regenerating this area.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Including a Regency terrace,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23an old police house,
0:18:23 > 0:18:25even a mansion.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28This is a project on a massive scale.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33'But that hadn't deterred Will Palin and his colleagues.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37'Will was the secretary of Save Britain's Heritage
0:18:37 > 0:18:39'and had been at the forefront of the battle
0:18:39 > 0:18:41'to save the historic buildings in Sheerness Dockyard
0:18:41 > 0:18:44'and bring them back to their best.'
0:18:44 > 0:18:47What's the situation with these amazing
0:18:47 > 0:18:501820s buildings here at Sheerness Docks?
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- Are they safe?- Yes, they are safe. But they haven't always been safe.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57In fact, most of the buildings on this site
0:18:57 > 0:19:01were on the English Heritage At Risk Register for many years.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05It wasn't until earlier this year that that decline has been reversed.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08And you can see and hear the signs of repair
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- and renovation going on all around us.- Yeah, work's under way.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15So, at one point, a developer owned it. What was the plan?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Was he going to knock them down or develop around them? What was going to happen?
0:19:18 > 0:19:22He was going to build a lot of new development on the site
0:19:22 > 0:19:25and we thought that was very damaging
0:19:25 > 0:19:27and a lot of other people thought that was damaging too
0:19:27 > 0:19:32because this is a very special, carefully conceived Georgian
0:19:32 > 0:19:37residential quarter with walled gardens and beautiful landscape.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40So we didn't feel that this level of new-build was the right solution.
0:19:40 > 0:19:46- Can we go and have a look inside one of the properties?- Absolutely. I'd be delighted to show you one.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50'Funding from the Spitalfields Trust meant that
0:19:50 > 0:19:53'all the buildings could be bought and protected.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57'Buyers were bound to carry out works needed in a style sympathetic
0:19:57 > 0:19:58'to the area's heritage.'
0:20:00 > 0:20:03This is incredible. What a space.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09How many original features did you have to work with?
0:20:09 > 0:20:12I know you're fitting in bits of missing skirting board
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- and you've got original shutters, have you? - Yeah, a lot of the joinery survived,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19but sadly not many of the chimney pieces, for example.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24But there was probably a lot more than you would find in a terrace house in a city that had
0:20:24 > 0:20:27many more owners and many more changes in its history.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34This must be a figurehead success for the campaign
0:20:34 > 0:20:36that you could save a site like this.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40The crucial thing was we had very, very strong local support.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44The people of Sheerness, the people of Sheppey, are very proud of what
0:20:44 > 0:20:48they have and they feel it's been neglected and shut up for too long.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52People are beginning to come here and think, "Oh my goodness, what a place.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54"What an oasis."
0:20:54 > 0:20:57This is going to be quite some development, isn't it?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I hope so, yeah.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Today, over a year on, this regeneration project has certainly
0:21:08 > 0:21:12moved forward and Will Palin is still working on the scheme.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It might not look like we've made enormous progress
0:21:17 > 0:21:19because of the scaffolding and there's still
0:21:19 > 0:21:23builders' material around the site, but it's deceptive,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26because a huge amount of work has been going on behind the scenes
0:21:26 > 0:21:31to make these buildings secure, watertight, weather tight.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34For the best part of a decade, all these buildings have lain empty,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37but now, following essential maintenance work,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41the first of the houses is about to be re-inhabited
0:21:41 > 0:21:43by architect, Rupert Wheeler, and his family.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48We are virtually done now.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It's taken ten months or so.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53We are doing the final decorations at the moment,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55sanding down the floors
0:21:55 > 0:21:58and hope to be moving the furniture in in about two or three weeks.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01It'll be nice to see how the place changes
0:22:01 > 0:22:04once we start actually living here
0:22:04 > 0:22:08because for so long these houses have been empty
0:22:08 > 0:22:10and unloved and unused.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Now, in a couple of weeks, they'll have life back in them.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18The project is finally on the cusp of realising
0:22:18 > 0:22:22its true ambition of turning these buildings into homes again.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25To think that nearly all the buildings on this site
0:22:25 > 0:22:28were on the English Heritage buildings at risk list and,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31in the space of under two years, we've guaranteed their survival
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and they're going to be inhabited again, that is really exciting.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Earlier in the programme, we met Rachel and Kevin Roberts,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44who'd bought an old cow shed deep in the Welsh countryside,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48which they were hoping to turn into the perfect family home.
0:22:48 > 0:22:54If I get it wrong, we'll have no barn or no family or no job,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57so it's getting everything right, isn't it?
0:23:03 > 0:23:04I've come back to Wales to see
0:23:04 > 0:23:08if Kevin and Rachel have been able to turn their dreams into a reality.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13Kevin hoped to almost singlehandedly turn a disused cow shed into a
0:23:13 > 0:23:18four-bedroom, four-bathroom family home whilst keeping his day job.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22As far as ambitious projects go, this one was certainly up there.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Wow, this has changed.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30It is clearly still the same building,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33but suddenly it has the feel of a home, no longer a cow shed.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- Hi, guys. Good to see you, Rachel. - Hello.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- Kevin.- How are you?- Very well.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- You guys?- Fine, thank you. - Excellent.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44What a transformation this is.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47This really has the look and feel of a home about it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49What's changed at the front?
0:23:49 > 0:23:52We've taken away the metal door, the metal windows.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55We've taken away the asbestos roof and built a new roof.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57We've put timber windows in, also a timber glazing
0:23:57 > 0:24:00where those doors were, and cedar cladding on the gable end.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Fantastic and the wood gives it a lovely warmth,
0:24:03 > 0:24:04a really nice feel to it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- I notice you have a caravan here, so are you living on site now?- Not yet.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10The caravan's all hooked up and ready to go, we're just
0:24:10 > 0:24:13waiting for somebody to move into our property and then we'll move on site.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16It looks incredible. I'm very keen to see what you've done inside.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- There's no door on the front any more.- No, there's not. - How do we get in?
0:24:20 > 0:24:23We'll take you in through what's going to be the back door.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Inside, there's still plenty more to do, but work is well under way.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34So much to talk about. First of all, there are pipes everywhere,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- so you're putting in underfloor heating throughout the place?- Yes.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40And how is that powered? Because energy was a key question here.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Have you gone for renewable energy or have you tried to get oil here?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46We are going for renewable.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49At the time, we were looking at ground source and air source.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51We're looking at going for the air source now.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54The plan was to do so much of the work yourself.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- Have you been able to?- Yes, I have.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59I've done all the drainworks outside
0:24:59 > 0:25:03and I'm now putting in the underfloor heating.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06This is huge, isn't it? What a great space.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Talk me through. The kitchen will go in that corner, will it?- Yes.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Over there in a L-shape with an island
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and there'll be a dining table and dining area there
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- and this where we're standing will be the family room.- Nice.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22- Behind you, you'll go into an adult lounge.- I see. No kids, no toys.- No.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Somewhere for you guys to relax. Fantastic, it looks really, really good.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27There's so much light coming in, isn't there?
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Greenery, you can see the hill and the blue sky.
0:25:31 > 0:25:37It's just uplifting, isn't it? A nice space to be in. Now, budget?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40You said you couldn't let the budget go wrong.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45Has it gone OK and is it going to stretch to the end of the project?
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- We're projected to have an overspend of £35,000...- OK.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50..over what we originally said.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55But I'm reducing that on a daily basis by every time I'm going to a
0:25:55 > 0:25:59supplier for materials, I've got four building suppliers with an account.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01And they will just give you a price.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04You don't take that first price, keep going backwards and forwards.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Really good advice there.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08That's the experience of a man that's been round a few building yards.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Now, Rachel, he has been trying to do it all.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13He's been trying to do all the building.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18What impact has that had on you guys as a family? How tough has it been?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20It does have an impact on the family life
0:26:20 > 0:26:23and trying to balance everything because, when Kevin's here,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26it's not always been possible for the children and I to come up.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28But hopefully once we've moved up here into the caravan,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30then we'll all be together.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Hang in there, it does feel like you're really getting there now,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36so it's all about trying to find those extra few hours
0:26:36 > 0:26:41and also keeping the family/house/ work/life balance going.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- Good luck and I hope you make it for the summer.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Sometimes it can be really hard when you've got a big,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52open space to know what to do with it, where to start.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55But it's brilliant, they've worked out exactly how many rooms,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59they've got the proportions right and the feel is just perfect
0:26:59 > 0:27:02and on top of that for Kevin to do so much of the work himself
0:27:02 > 0:27:07and teach himself new skills, is incredibly impressive.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11It just goes to show, if they can turn an old cow shed like that
0:27:11 > 0:27:15into a brilliant family home, then really anything is possible.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd