0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, empty properties that could be homes
0:00:06 > 0:00:10are waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14I'll be finding out why and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17And along the way, I'll be doing some digging of my own
0:00:17 > 0:00:21to find out more about our housing stock, our heritage and why
0:00:21 > 0:00:24we should both be reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Rescuing an empty property is an incredible challenge
0:00:35 > 0:00:38and is certainly not without its risks.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Planning permission, surprise structural weakness,
0:00:41 > 0:00:46even the good old British weather can all put a dampener on your renovation dreams.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50But with a clear vision and nerves of steel, even the largest challenge
0:00:50 > 0:00:53shouldn't deter you from creating your dream home.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57On today's show, I'll be meeting a couple of first-time renovators
0:00:57 > 0:01:02who are on a wing and a prayer with the unusual space they've taken on.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05When would this have last been used as a church?
0:01:05 > 0:01:07I see some pretty obvious church features going on.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11I'll also meet some brave souls who've already done up a derelict house.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17We came here, walked in and I think we were a little bit taken aback...
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Shocked, actually.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And I'll be following the property detectives, who track down
0:01:23 > 0:01:28the owners of forgotten homes and help breath new life into them.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Quality development is to go back into its place and it has to look right.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Karl and Christina Yao spent years looking for a family home
0:01:41 > 0:01:44in the picturesque village of Hartley Witney in Hampshire.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49I've been around here all my life, I grew up in Hartley Witney and I've always known this church.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52It's something which has always been in my memory.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02We've been looking for a plot of land or a project for quite a long time.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04We viewed a couple of different properties in the area
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and we just absolutely fell in love with this.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13Everything seemed to point towards it being a dream house in the village where I grew up
0:02:13 > 0:02:14so we just decided to go for it.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18This 770 square foot wooden church was built in 1876
0:02:18 > 0:02:22and held regular services for nearly 110 years.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26But as the congregation dwindled, the church fell into disrepair
0:02:26 > 0:02:31and since 1988, it's stood empty and unused.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Karl and Christina a plan to transform this space into
0:02:34 > 0:02:39a two-bedroom home with a living room, study and a second floor.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I really love the idea of starting with a blank canvas,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46just being able to put all your own ideas, absolutely everything,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48put walls were you want to have walls,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52just make rooms what you want them to be, rather than actually have to work around.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01The chapel had everything they were after, apart from one rather crucial element -
0:03:01 > 0:03:03there was no planning permission.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06We were told when we first found the church that we'd never get
0:03:06 > 0:03:10residential planning permission for it, it was going to be commercial viability.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Despite locals telling them
0:03:13 > 0:03:17they didn't stand chance of getting consent to convert the chapel,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21the Yaos took a leap of faith and bought it for £170,000.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25They actually agreed that it was better for this to be a residence
0:03:25 > 0:03:31rather than a commercial building, so, we went for it.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33It's taken a further two years
0:03:33 > 0:03:37for planning permission to be granted
0:03:37 > 0:03:41but it was worth the wait because now, Karl and Christina can begin
0:03:41 > 0:03:44the delicate process of creating their dream home.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49We want our children to grow up and have the same experiences in the village that I had when I grew up.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53That's really important. The space has to work for all of us.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59To save money, the Yaos and their three children will live in mobile homes on site
0:03:59 > 0:04:02whilst the work is being carried out.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08Christina is also taking time off from her job to help out with some of the basic building work.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13Karl and Christina hope to have this ambitious renovation project
0:04:13 > 0:04:15completed by next summer.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17I'm meeting up with these first-time renovators
0:04:17 > 0:04:21to find out exactly how they plan to do it.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- Hello, guys, I'm Joe. - Hi, Joe, I'm Christina.- Christina.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- I'm Karl, good to meet you. - Karl. And this is All Souls Church.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- How did you find it?- I found it on the internet two years ago now.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35We fell in love with it. The area is absolutely fantastic.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39The beauty of it I mean, you look at it on a sunny day like today, absolutely perfect.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44I've always known this church but we never thought we'd ever own it or it'd come up for sale.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48What's the benefit for you guys of buying an empty property like this?
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Having the church and buying it without planning permission
0:04:52 > 0:04:54meant that we got it at a reasonable price
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and means we can afford to stay in the village in a property
0:04:57 > 0:04:59that is over the price we'd ever be able to afford.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I'm really excited to see inside, so are you happy to show me?
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Sure, follow me.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Wow! What an unusual space, this is fantastic.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17It is very much still in its church formation,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20it's just a big open space, isn't it? What are the plans?
0:05:20 > 0:05:21We plan to put a second floor in.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24We'll have two main bedrooms, one at either end
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- with these massive feature windows that we've got.- Beautiful.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32When you talk about having two levels, that's what's going to give you a light feel at the top?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34One in each of the bedrooms.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Do you have to take the floor down to get two levels in?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Yes, yes. We're lowering the floor slightly but underneath this
0:05:40 > 0:05:44is actually quite low anyway, it's a floating wooden floor,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47so as you jump around, it's like a trampoline at the moment.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I can feel a slight bounce to it. I bet the kids love that.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Don't bounce too hard! - You may fall through.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Stay calm, health and safety at all times.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59One of the great things about buying a property with this kind of history
0:05:59 > 0:06:01is that you get some quirky features.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03You can't miss the big old organ as you walk in.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- Is this going to be staying? - Unfortunately not, it's taking up too much space.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11There's a lovely stained-glass window behind there
0:06:11 > 0:06:14that you can't see, so the light's gone.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16We do plan to re-use as much as possible.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19We are going to re-use these knobs.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21We're going to make coat hooks out of them.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25We're going to make the children toy boxes out of the carcass and the wood from the organ.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29So, there's a lot of potential to re-use some of the features and incorporate.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33We will use whatever we possibly can in the whole building.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34We absolutely love it.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38It is always a gamble but you have to stack the odds in your favour, don't you?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40There'll always be an element of risk
0:06:40 > 0:06:44but you did research, which is important in knowing you'd be able to get planning permission.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47We did a lot of research. We spent an awful lot of hours,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50evenings, weekends, during the day,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52just looking into everything.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Speaking to people who could give us advice, everything.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56As much as we could -
0:06:56 > 0:07:00we couldn't have found out anything more before we signed.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Although they were granted permission to convert the chapel,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06it came that strict design limitations
0:07:06 > 0:07:08so the Yaos will have to be clever with the space.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Where's the bathroom going to be?
0:07:10 > 0:07:15Behind here, there's a storage cupboard outside which we're going to bring to the inside
0:07:15 > 0:07:17and that'll be a downstairs shower room.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20So, there's a little bit more room than we can see from here.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- You're going to push the wall out that way?- Yes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Where are the stairs, how will you get upstairs?
0:07:25 > 0:07:29The stairs are over there somewhere. We haven't quite worked out how.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33The stairs are over there by the door and they'll come in and then
0:07:33 > 0:07:35go up in an L-shape up into the first floor.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38I think we've got to grips with the space in here.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Let's pop outside and have a look at the full glory of
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- God's building from the outside, shall we?- Definitely.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49This is an amazing property, but it's only when you see it
0:07:49 > 0:07:54from outside that you realise quite what a challenge this renovation will be.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58So, that's the inside, plenty ahead of you there.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01What about the building itself? I've seen a few holes, how is it?
0:08:03 > 0:08:04We have no idea, really.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06We're going to have to take everything off.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09All the cladding will come off, all the tiles will come off,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13then all the structural wood inside will be assessed.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15What about the structure itself?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17We had a survey done and they reckon within the next
0:08:17 > 0:08:20few years it will actually be falling down.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- Ah. Is that to do with the foundations?- Lack of.- Lack of?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28There's very, very old foundations that aren't up to much.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31There's a wooden plate that it rests on that's rotted.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34So what do you have to do, underpinning?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Underpinning, we're doing a special toe underpin,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39so then we can put a concrete floor in.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43It's steel reinforced, loads of steel mesh and stuff going in there.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44What is the budget?
0:08:44 > 0:08:50- About 160 - 180,000, we'd like to complete it for.- Yeah.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53It's your first renovation, it's a biggie,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55it's a massive project
0:08:55 > 0:08:58but I'm sure if you do arm yourselves with enough information,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01as you have been doing, I'm sure you can make it a success.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Even so, what we'll do for you is send you off to see a family
0:09:04 > 0:09:07who've been through this, who can give you a reality check,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10who can tell you if you're being way too ambitious
0:09:10 > 0:09:14or over optimistic and hopefully, just get a bit of advice from them.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18I'll meet up you later and find out how it went. Does that sound good?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- Sounds like a very good idea. - Yes, I agree, that sounds great.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24It'll be nice to see others going through what we're about embark on.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26See you later.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34That's a very interesting project. It really is a full-on renovation.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36They're in good spirits and so they might be,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40they've got over the first obstacle with planning permission.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41But they are quite inexperienced.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44They haven't done this before so to some extent,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47their ideas, their plans, are all very theoretical on paper.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Therefore, it's going to be really good for them
0:09:49 > 0:09:53to meet experienced home restorers who've been through this and
0:09:53 > 0:09:56hopefully, that'll have an impact on their practical way forward.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Across Britain, there are many properties like the Yaos' church
0:10:02 > 0:10:06which are waiting to be discovered and brought back to life.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Up and down the country, Empty Property Officers, employed by local councils,
0:10:10 > 0:10:15are working tirelessly to get our abandoned homes put back into use.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Margate, south-east England.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26Mike Thomson is a man on a mission to save the Kent coast's forgotten properties.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31The government sets targets of building thousands and thousands
0:10:31 > 0:10:35of new homes and there's all these properties lying empty,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37wanting to be brought back into use.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Mike is meeting Tim, the council's Housing Improvement Officer,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44to gain access to this empty home.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- OK, then, let's make a start.- Right.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- We've got a window open there.- Right.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54This property was left empty
0:10:54 > 0:10:58when its elderly owner passed away without leaving a will.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- There we are, Tim. - Thank you. Postman's been!
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Here's your mountain of mail.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08During the lengthy probate period,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12the place has fallen into serious disrepair.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- This by and large isn't too bad, notice-wise, is it?- No.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19There's not a lot immediately obvious in here to note.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Yeah, OK.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Shame, isn't it really, when it comes to this?- Yes.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Still, onwards and upwards. - That's right.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Positive side - family accommodation. - Yes.- That's the next move, isn't it?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- Get it into family use again. - That's right.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38It's so derelict, the neighbours have complained to the council,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42claiming it's causing damp problems to their homes and attracting vermin.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Obviously, this back door's been kicked in for quite a while,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52because that ivy's had time to grow in there
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- and establish internally. - It's quite mature, isn't it?
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Tight margins on this one, Tim, with the values as they are?- Yes.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00The house is going to auction and when it does,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03the council can issue an Improvement Notice,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05which legally obliges the buyer
0:12:05 > 0:12:08to undertake all necessary building works.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15- Oh, right, somebody's come through here as well.- Yes, indeed.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18That's where the water's poured in above us here and it's come down
0:12:18 > 0:12:21that wall, the other side of that wall and the outside wall
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and done immense damage, as you can see.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Mike and Tim are carrying out an inspection
0:12:27 > 0:12:29to prepare and serve an Improvement Notice
0:12:29 > 0:12:33which will be included as a legal obligation in the sale.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37We're anxious to get this one to auction as quickly as we can
0:12:37 > 0:12:41because as soon as it's on the market, we've a better chance of getting some money back
0:12:41 > 0:12:45not only to pay the costs, but also to leave some over for the beneficiaries.
0:12:45 > 0:12:51It'll be expensive, but it will be saved and it will become a family house again.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00The curious thing about renovating an empty property is not just
0:13:00 > 0:13:03that you're responsible for rescuing a house but also,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07that you get to start from scratch and create a home
0:13:07 > 0:13:09with your very own personal stamp on it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15In London's Notting Hill, architect Robin Monotti did just that.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18In 2008, Robin and his actress wife Vera,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22were looking for a new family home.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25On a first viewing, this abandoned house was a bit of a shocker.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29The estate agent said that it was the worst condition property that he
0:13:29 > 0:13:32had ever shown but thought we could do something with it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34So we came here, walked in,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37and I think we were a little bit taken aback.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- Shocked, actually.- We weren't expecting it to be what it was.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48The 165-year-old building was split into flats
0:13:48 > 0:13:51and had been empty for six months.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01Mildly traumatised would be the summary of the emotion.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I think after we walked away from here, with some time,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08we realised that that it was actually the biggest property that we'd
0:14:08 > 0:14:12ever seen in our price range and I think that was the main aspect.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15But after an epic renovation project,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Robin and Vera have transformed it
0:14:19 > 0:14:22into a fabulous family home.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32If I didn't have any experience I probably wouldn't have taken it on,
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- we wouldn't have taken it on. - Yes, I definitely wouldn't.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Even with Robin's professional expertise,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42he and Vera discovered some big surprises along the way.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49In total, the house ended up needing 32 steel joists throughout.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51That wasn't all.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54We had our first son that that was born six months into the project.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58I remember that it was quite stressful to have to manage
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- a newborn child...- Work...- Work.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07And when it's for yourself, it's more stressful because you can't have emotional detachment from it.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Robin and Vera thought this project would take them 4-6 months.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17It actually took them over a year and a half
0:15:17 > 0:15:19and cost them half-a-million pounds.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23The whole point is that we keep what we found that's worth keeping
0:15:23 > 0:15:28and then we add to it and we're actually quite happy with this
0:15:28 > 0:15:31contrast of one part of it, like the staircase, the landing,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35the stained glass are the Victorian parts, or the outside,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39whereas the inside, most other rooms being very modern.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44It's still very much a honeymoon period with the house.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49We still love it and enjoy every single second of being here, taking care of it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- We're not leaving any time soon.- No.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Undoubtedly, they came up against some serious challenges
0:15:55 > 0:15:57throughout this spectacular renovation
0:15:57 > 0:16:01but Robin and Vera now have a stunning family home
0:16:01 > 0:16:02and at the same time,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05they've saved a beautiful old property
0:16:05 > 0:16:08from falling further into ruin.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Earlier I met Karl and Christina Yao, who took the plunge
0:16:19 > 0:16:21and bought this abandoned church
0:16:21 > 0:16:25without having planning permission in place.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28After two years of campaigning their local planning department,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32the Yaos now have full permission to turn it into a family home.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Of course, churches aren't the only type of properties
0:16:35 > 0:16:38which can be turned into housing.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40And if you know your way through the procedures,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44obtaining a Change of Use doesn't have to be a scary business.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I'm meeting up with planning adviser, Graham Bell,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51to talk through the pitfalls and how to avoid them.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54From experience, what should people bear in mind
0:16:54 > 0:16:57when trying to apply for Change of Use for a community facility?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59The thing to do is do your research.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04In that research you'll find out whether you're a unique facility, or one of many.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08If you're one of many, you've got a much greater chance of yours being able to be converted.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13It will help you immensely to find out that it just hasn't been
0:17:13 > 0:17:16available, it's been standing empty and standing idle,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18particularly at the current time.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Is it a misconception it's harder to get Change of Use on a listed property?
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Not always. A listed building is a cherished feature.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Generally, the community doesn't want to see that fall down and fall into
0:17:28 > 0:17:32disrepair, it wants it used, we all want it there for the next 100 years.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34No-one's going to make your case for you,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36you've got to do the research and find out
0:17:36 > 0:17:39the best and strongest arguments to back up your planning application.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Absolutely, and with that, you've every chance of success.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Christina and Karl may have been successful in managing
0:17:51 > 0:17:54to get permission to get convert this disused Hampshire chapel,
0:17:54 > 0:18:00but the real work of turning it into a family home has only just begun.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02So, to give them some helpful pointers and inspiration,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04I've sent the Yaos to meet a couple
0:18:04 > 0:18:07who undertook a similar renovation project.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10The key thing about taking the project on was to get something that we wanted.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13We were searching for the best part of five years
0:18:13 > 0:18:14for a house somewhere nearby.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16We looked at a lot of converted barns.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20After a lot of searching, Janine and Roy Naismith
0:18:20 > 0:18:21found their perfect home
0:18:21 > 0:18:24in the shape of this ruined 16th century barn.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28When we first saw the barn, it was in a terrible state.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It was completely derelict, it had trees growing inside,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34dirt floors, no roof.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37It was actually pretty difficult to picture what we were going to do
0:18:37 > 0:18:39and anybody who came to see it,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42all our friends thought we were completely mad,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44that we paid all this money for...
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- ..a pile of sticks.- A pile of sticks.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Despite the many structural issues,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Janine and Roy were smitten with the place.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53After 18 months of challenging building work,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56the Naismiths finally realised their dream.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05From the wreck of an old barn,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Roy and Janine have created vast open-plan kitchen and living areas.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13And they've found room for four bedrooms too.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18I think that part of the house that gives me the most pleasure
0:19:18 > 0:19:20has to be the kitchen because I look at it every day
0:19:20 > 0:19:24and I think it's stunning.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27I just think, it's the centre of the house and it's just so beautiful.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31We did spend a lot of money and a lot of time designing it.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Everything we've put in here, you can look at it
0:19:34 > 0:19:36and see that it's been put inside the barn.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40In the future, someone will come and take out what we put in, put something else
0:19:40 > 0:19:42but the barn will still be here,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45being what it's been since the 1600s - a barn.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Although this barn renovation is on a much larger scale than
0:19:51 > 0:19:55that of Christina and Karl's church, the principles remain the same.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00I hope they'll be able to glean some valuable practical advice here.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04This is the type of look I'm really after, the old meets new,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07all the contemporariness.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10With an open-plan look, how does it work with a family?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It looks fantastic, it looks contemporary,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16but we've got a nine-year-old, a four-year-old and a thirteen -year-old,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19so noise could be interesting.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22You do have to have that space to separate.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25We've made what we refer to as the media room -
0:20:25 > 0:20:28double wall thickness, soundproofed, door closed
0:20:28 > 0:20:32and we can't hear them, even with the PlayStation and the sound system
0:20:32 > 0:20:34and we can get on with our lives if we've got guests in.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38With regards to the actual curves and the design,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42did you get a lot of help with this? It's fantastic, the way it fits in.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45It's important to get the right people to help you.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48We'd a fantastic architect, our builder was brilliant
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and the kitchen designer had an impact on how the place looked.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Get the right people, it makes the difference.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57TV area, lounge area, what do we call this?
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Haven't got a proper name for it.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- I totally love the sofas. - The sofas are fantastic, aren't they?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Were there many compromises you had to make?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13When we first went out to look for stone floors, I knew what I wanted -
0:21:13 > 0:21:16as pale as possible, I wanted that finish, which is honed,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18and we went to this fantastic shop
0:21:18 > 0:21:20and there it was, the perfect stone floor
0:21:20 > 0:21:24but I think it was something like £85 a square metre.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28My budget was 40. Simply can't afford to go for it.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I just went back out shopping again,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33went to a different shop, found very similar.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It's not as beautiful as the one at 85
0:21:36 > 0:21:39but I had to get beyond that because I had to stick to that budget,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43especially when it was going to make such a huge difference to the floor
0:21:43 > 0:21:47and this one ended up, I think, £42 a square metre, so it was half.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- Yes.- But it's not half as beautiful.
0:21:49 > 0:21:55- Shall we go and have a look at the rest of the house? - That would be fantastic.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57That's built into the wall...
0:21:57 > 0:21:58It's really fantastic,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I really like it and the lights just really work.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04How long did it take you to get them angled correctly?
0:22:08 > 0:22:13So, this is our master bedroom.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17I think the space is really great, actually, seeing it,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20because I've always assumed that we'd have to have our bed here,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23where you're stood but, I actually think it would work in the eaves.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29- It's fine, yes.- We've got about from here, we can stand in.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- That's all you need to get into bed. - That's all we need to get into bed. - Yeah.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36So, I think this is actually very, very similar.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38It's fantastic to see the whole thing...
0:22:38 > 0:22:42This area, probably matches most closely something we're doing,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45so this will be very close to our bedroom.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Seeing the Naismith's home
0:22:48 > 0:22:52has certainly been an eye-opener for Christina and Karl.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Later, I'll be hearing how their visit
0:22:54 > 0:22:57may have influenced plans for their own project.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Back in Margate,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Empty Property Officer, Mike Thompson,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06is on his way to a large property on the seafront.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09In its heyday, the Leslie was a thriving hotel.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12But as local tourism declined,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16many seaside establishments like this one closed down.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20The local council has recently taken charge of this derelict building
0:23:20 > 0:23:23with a view to redeveloping it into affordable family homes.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28Today, Mike's meeting Tanya, one of Margate's Regeneration Officers.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Hi, Tanya.- Hi, Mike.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32He's keen to check if the building
0:23:32 > 0:23:35is structurally sound enough to take a redevelopment
0:23:35 > 0:23:38or whether it will require full demolition and a rebuild.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Of course, you can get some idea of the size of it,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44with the three houses actually knocked into one.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- How many rooms did we think there are here?- 50.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52Take a bit of clearance before we can see really what we're going to be doing with it.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Yeah. Quite a shock, isn't it, first time?- It is, it is.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58There's a lot to do and a lot to think about.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- A great acquisition for us.- It is.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Takes out what could potentially be a damaging property to us
0:24:04 > 0:24:07in the wrong hands and used in the wrong way. Good, good.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12Properties like this are vulnerable to vandalism and theft.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Out the back, Tanya finds something of concern.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- Mike!- Yes?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21The site exit's insecure at the back here and there's a smashed window.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Oh, crikey!
0:24:23 > 0:24:26The property's insecure, so we'll need to get that sorted out.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28That's fairly recent, I'd say, this one anyway.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30We'll have a look and back at the office,
0:24:30 > 0:24:35first thing we'll do is get on to building control and the surveyors to sort it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- We've got some people can do that? - No problem.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41They can get a contractor if they have to, but we can get somebody today to see to it.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Mike's worked hard to secure this building's redevelopment
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and is feeling hopeful that the Leslie Hotel
0:24:48 > 0:24:50can be given a new lease of life.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53The main thing is, we've got it and we've secured it.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57We've got to really think about what the best use of this property
0:24:57 > 0:25:00is going to be and how we're going to get the most units
0:25:00 > 0:25:03out of it and we have to think about the economics of it,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05the best use of public money
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and getting the right sort of housing back.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13I think the important thing is, quality development has to go back in its place and it has to look right.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16So, it's another success story for Mike
0:25:16 > 0:25:19and the local Empty Property Officers.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Absolutely delighted with the result today.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26The site will be used for family accommodation and that's what it's all about.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28It's another potential risk to the area removed.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Christina and Karl Yao are embarking on
0:25:33 > 0:25:36a challenging renovation of an empty church.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39To get inspiration, the Yaos met up with Roy and Janine Naismith
0:25:39 > 0:25:44who recently renovated a derelict 400-year-old barn.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46I'm hooking up with Christina and Karl
0:25:46 > 0:25:51to see how they feel now about their renovation project.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- Hi, guys, how was it? - It was fantastic, a real eye-opener.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- Still feel happy about doing it. - Good!
0:25:58 > 0:26:00It hasn't scared me, it's inspired us.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01It made us realise it's possible.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03It's an open-plan property.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Has it helped you get your head round the layout of yours?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09If we can achieve something like that, that would be fantastic.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11It makes a lot of sense but I think overall,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13we're still fans of the open-plan living,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15but I think they've given us some insight
0:26:15 > 0:26:18into which we'll think and maybe tweak a few things.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Having been through it and seen it,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23how do you feel about your project, are you raring to go?
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Oh, cannot wait! I want to go home and start it right now.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Christina and Karl have a great opportunity to turn a disused church
0:26:32 > 0:26:35into an extraordinary family home.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Let's face it, they're not experts in building or renovation,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41they're just ordinary people with a vision
0:26:41 > 0:26:45and a lot of motivation, which really makes you think that
0:26:45 > 0:26:48with the right planning and a little bit of inspiration,
0:26:48 > 0:26:54really anyone can be part of saving one of Britain's empty homes.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:12 > 0:27:15E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk