0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, empty properties that could be homes
0:00:06 > 0:00:08are 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 I'll be doing some digging of my own to find out more
0:00:17 > 0:00:19about our housing stock,
0:00:19 > 0:00:24our heritage and why we should both be reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34When it comes to property hunting,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37I think it is fair to say most of us are looking for a bargain.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41One way to achieve this is to seek an empty property and renovate it.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Of course, that takes hard work and careful budgeting,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46and it's not really just about saving money,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49it's also about saving a piece of history.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52You could revitalise a home for many years to come.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58'On today's show, I'll be meeting a pair of novice renovators
0:00:58 > 0:01:01'who have taken a leap of faith with a building they love.'
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Wow!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05It's huge, and quite a challenge.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Some people are scared by these big open spaces.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11'I'll be showing them a finished church with all the mod cons.'
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Now, that is thinking outside the box!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17And we'll be following the property detectives
0:01:17 > 0:01:23who track down the owners of forgotten homes and bring the buildings back to life.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Somebody has tried to take the copper piping.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30The ceiling has obviously come down as they've ripped the piping out.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34When Diana Christie and her electrician partner Rowley Belcher
0:01:34 > 0:01:39set eyes on this 20th century Roman Catholic church in Guildford, Surrey,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41it was love at first sight.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46When we saw the church, it was just beautiful.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's white, it's a lovely design.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54It's a huge empty hall with beautiful light coming through the windows.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56We went up to the balcony upstairs
0:01:56 > 0:02:00and we just looked across the expanse of the church
0:02:00 > 0:02:03and we were just blown away by it, weren't we?
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Beautiful on the outside and beautiful on the inside.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09It was a no-brainer to have a go.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11I just hope we've made the right decision.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Having lain empty for five years, when it was put up for auction,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19there was its usual amount of interest from the local community.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Half of Surrey wanted the property.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25It was really of interest to lots of people.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29But we thought we'd offer the full price before it went to auction
0:02:29 > 0:02:31so we could be sure of getting it.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Diana and Rowley were so eager to have the church,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38they bought it without planning permission.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43One of our biggest concerns is that we have to get change of use for the property.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46We are concerned that if we don't get that, we'll have to move
0:02:46 > 0:02:51to plan B, and we will have to think of what plan B will be.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58The couple are moving into rented accommodation until they obtain planning permission,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02then they intend to live on a caravan on site once the build begins.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The huge opportunity to create something wonderful
0:03:06 > 0:03:10out of a structure that is already there is amazing.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13We've just got a clean canvas to paint a picture on
0:03:13 > 0:03:15that we want to paint.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19There's no question, we just have to do this.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25I've come to Guildford to meet Diana and Rowley to find out more about their plans.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- Hi, guys. I'm Joe.- Rowland. - Diana, how are you?- Hi, Joe.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Loads to talk about. I can't wait to see the space.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- Let's pop inside, shall we? - Let's, yes.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38The couple spent £495,000 on the building
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and plan to spend 150,000 on the renovations.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Wow.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45It's huge. I can almost hear the echo.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48It is an unusual building. Quite a challenge.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Some people are really scared by these big open spaces.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53What attracted you to this place?
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Buildings have to have a wow factor, don't they?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59And this has a wow factor without even doing anything to it.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04So, we just wondered through the door and it was wow,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07and then it was, oh, what have we done?
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- Yes, there's the wow factor and then there's the challenge. - Yes, it is so huge
0:04:11 > 0:04:16and it's a big opportunity but it's also a big risk for us, too.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20'The plan is for the church to become a five bedroom home,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23'large enough for Diana's two grown-up sons to come and stay.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26'The couple also hope to add a mezzanine level
0:04:26 > 0:04:28to maximise the extensive headroom.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34The only downside to that is where we place it, in terms of the windows
0:04:34 > 0:04:38so that we've got enough headroom above.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40It might mean breaking the windows at some point.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43That's a really tricky one.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46The windows have got these lovely stone frames to them,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48they're an original feature.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51We wouldn't change that, but it's just doing it sympathetically.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Exactly. That's quite a challenge.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58So, the big issue is planning, I suppose.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01It's quite scary to think about what we would need to do
0:05:01 > 0:05:03if we don't get change of use, and it IS a big gamble.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- One you're aware of. - Absolutely aware.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09That's what keeps me awake at night.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13While they wait to hear from the council,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Diana and Rowley are optimistically developing their plans
0:05:16 > 0:05:18to turn the church into a home.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20The downstairs will remain open plan
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and become a large family living area with electrician Rowley
0:05:24 > 0:05:26doing a lot of the work himself
0:05:26 > 0:05:28to make the most of their modest budget.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Right, this is the business end of the church.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Plenty of original features - you've got the altar, you've got the stained-glass window.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And two rooms off either side. What would these have been?
0:05:39 > 0:05:45This was where they did all the baptisms and at the other side was the confessional.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50So, if you've got anything you want to tell us, you can tell us in there.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Will you use these rooms? Obviously, you will.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57The initial idea is to have that side for the kitchen
0:05:57 > 0:06:01and the other side, possibly as a formal lounge
0:06:01 > 0:06:04or somewhere we can relax in.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07So, the only bit we haven't seen is upstairs.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11I suppose, if we go up to the mezzanine there, is that an organ loft?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13It used to be the organ. They didn't leave it behind.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- OK.- I'd have loved to... - No tinkling!
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- But we can get a sense of what it's like to be on a first floor.- Yes.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21OK, let's go up there.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Right.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Actually, this is really useful
0:06:32 > 0:06:35to visualise the height of the building.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38It feels great up here. It feels like you've got plenty of headroom.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43So, you know a mezzanine floor can fit in, for a start.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45And this works perfectly, doesn't it?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Your side windows might not do you favours
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- but from being up here now, you know this works really well.- Yeah.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53We envisage this being the main bedroom,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55one of the master bedrooms.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59And the mezzanine floor gives you a good idea of where that might fall
0:06:59 > 0:07:02to make use of the space.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06But it also makes it real to see how big the building is.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- Yeah, exactly.- It's huge.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13To help you with this, later, we're going to see a similar property
0:07:13 > 0:07:16that's been through all sorts of planning complications and battles.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I think it's a really good example for you to look at.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23But also, I want you to meet the guy who has been through it.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26He is you a couple of years down the line, so hopefully,
0:07:26 > 0:07:30he'll have really useful tips and some practical advice for you.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Fantastic. We're really looking forward to meeting somebody
0:07:33 > 0:07:35who's done what we'll be doing in the future.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40And to know that he survived the experience and lived another day.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Yes. A positive outlook there, as well.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Well, the church is a stunning space.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52You can see why Diana and Rowland were captivated by it.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56A really exciting project from that point of view and I think
0:07:56 > 0:08:00the guy we're going to meet later might just have a few wise words.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Across Britain, there are many places like this
0:08:05 > 0:08:09just waiting to be discovered and brought back to life.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12When you notice an empty property, you often ask yourself,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Why is it abandoned? How long has it been like that? And who are the owners?
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Well, it's the job of empty property officers to answer those questions
0:08:20 > 0:08:21and more importantly,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25to oversee the process of bringing neglected homes back into use.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Sue Lee is the empty property officer
0:08:28 > 0:08:33for Amber Valley, where she deals with over 1,000 empty homes.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38When I see a really dilapidated empty property, I like to see potential -
0:08:38 > 0:08:42potential for the owner, potential for a family home,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46potential to improve the appearance for the local community.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Today, Sue is on her way to an unusual case,
0:08:52 > 0:08:56a new-build home that was nearing completion when its owner
0:08:56 > 0:09:00fell into financial difficulties and abandoned the project.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Since it was left empty, Sue has managed to track down the owner
0:09:03 > 0:09:06and has been working with him to get the home finished and lived in.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10So, I'm here today to see if the owner has actually done
0:09:10 > 0:09:11what he said he will do.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15This will be the moment of truth. If not,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I'm going to have to get a bit tougher with him.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20After a quick survey of the front of the property,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23first impressions aren't very encouraging.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Well, the owner has done bit and bobs I've asked for.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31But there's still the more difficult things that are outstanding.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36Covering up a smashed window. Putting the downpipe in there.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39And the guttering over there that is still smashed.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- Does it attract any problems at all to the area?- Well, certainly.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49It's effecting the value of all the properties in the area.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Myself, I've had the house on the market before and people were just driving away.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Also, we've had vagrants.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Youths with rolled up sleeping bags.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02So, it has attracted quite a lot of problems over the last few years,
0:10:02 > 0:10:03yes, yes.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Unhappy with the progress and determined to get this
0:10:06 > 0:10:10wasted home lived in, it's time for Sue to get tough.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15What I need to see from the owner is that there is a time-bound plan
0:10:15 > 0:10:18to do the work that I've asked.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Sue has now spoken to the owner who is also keen to get
0:10:22 > 0:10:26the property lived in and has agreed to carry out the necessary works.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Finding an empty home in the right location at the right price
0:10:29 > 0:10:33can be just the beginning of a long and arduous journey
0:10:33 > 0:10:37but with a good amount of imagination and hard graft,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39really, anything is possible.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Back in 2003, retired businessmen John Hondle
0:10:44 > 0:10:48was looking for a renovation project to put his heart and soul into.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51When he saw this Grade II listed Georgian manor house
0:10:51 > 0:10:55with stunning views over Warwickshire, it ticked every box.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00The house was originally built in 1792 for a local dignitary.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02It was empty for two years
0:11:02 > 0:11:06before John fell in love with its antiquated charm.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11When we first viewed the house, it was pretty horrific.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Very, very neglected.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16But that's exactly what we were looking for.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21John paid £930,000 and had a budget of 500,000
0:11:21 > 0:11:23to spend on this ambitious restoration.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27The beauty of it, as a challenge,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30is that although it had been badly neglected,
0:11:30 > 0:11:36it was clear that there were still many significant features there
0:11:36 > 0:11:40such as the wood paddling in the dining room, the chandeliers,
0:11:40 > 0:11:41the ceiling roses, etc,
0:11:41 > 0:11:47it had obviously been a very, very beautiful house in the past.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50We tried to retain as many of those features as we could
0:11:50 > 0:11:57but tried to wean it off the 19th century and into the 21st century.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02For John, this restoration is an ever evolving process.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06You don't have to think of a project like this as having
0:12:06 > 0:12:09a beginning, a middle and an end, it's ongoing.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12There's always something to do in a house like this.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16There is always a little improvement that you can make.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18But it's great, it keeps you interested
0:12:18 > 0:12:19and the more you do,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23the more you wrap the house around your own character
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and your own being and the more it becomes a part of you,
0:12:26 > 0:12:27and that's wonderful.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29After six years of hard work,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32John is now enjoying the fruits of his labour.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I love all the rooms, I love every part of this house,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39I guess my favourite is the master bedroom.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44A 30-mile view over to Birmingham and Worcester beyond. Wonderful.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48And it looks like John has got the restoration bug.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Would I do a similar project again? For sure.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Across rural Britain,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58there are hundreds of remote buildings lying empty and abandoned,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01many, the relics of a different age in British farming,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05a reminder of where people lived and worked the land.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Today, I've come to the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales
0:13:10 > 0:13:13to meet a couple who are looking to take their passion
0:13:13 > 0:13:15for rescuing derelict buildings
0:13:15 > 0:13:19and preserving local architecture to a whole new level.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Roger Mears and Joanie Speers are husband-and-wife founders of
0:13:24 > 0:13:29a new building preservation trust, Adfer Ban a Chwm, or ABC for short.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Concerned with the lack of housing for young people in the area and
0:13:33 > 0:13:36intent on preserving traditional agricultural buildings,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39they've come up with a radical solution that will both
0:13:39 > 0:13:44rescue these beautiful structures and help ease the housing crisis.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47These buildings are here for the time being
0:13:47 > 0:13:49but they're not going to last for ever.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Once they are gone, they are gone.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55It's getting to last hours on so many of them, we've got to get them now.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59And how involved are the community in that process?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Is this you coming in with a couple of builders you've sourced
0:14:02 > 0:14:05or is it a bigger process than that?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08No, no, it's very much bringing the community with us.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Our first meeting,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14was on April 1 two years ago.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- No joke.- Middle of lambing season, no joke,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19middle of lambing season, farmers are lambing -
0:14:19 > 0:14:23we haven't got time to do anything else! 50 people turned up.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- That's a small community, so that's pretty good.- Half the community.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30In a world where so many developments are developer led,
0:14:30 > 0:14:31how are you different to that?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34At the end of the day, when we finish repairing the building,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37we're going to pass it on to a housing association
0:14:37 > 0:14:40who will manage it and keep it within the affordable market.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45But we're going to have to raise more money than we're going to get at the end of the day
0:14:45 > 0:14:48and that's where the conservation gap or the funding gap is,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- and that's the real challenge. - And that's why you're a charity.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54You're not developers, you're going to do this at huge cost,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58which you have to raise, and then sell it at another huge cost,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01you lose money on it, it's not a money-spinner in any sense.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04But you passionately believe it's worth it
0:15:04 > 0:15:07for the legacy that these buildings can bring?
0:15:07 > 0:15:12We believe that the time spent in this should really repay itself...
0:15:12 > 0:15:19- Over time.- ..of people actually being able to stay within the community
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and live in buildings that their forbears lived in. It's wonderful.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25A daunting challenge but let's finish with some good news
0:15:25 > 0:15:29because you have had some encouragement with your funding applications?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Yes, we've just heard a couple of days ago
0:15:32 > 0:15:36that the Brecon Beacons National Park Sustainable Development Fund
0:15:36 > 0:15:39is wanting to support us and will support us.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43This will be subject to our being successful with a really big bid
0:15:43 > 0:15:47that we put into the Heritage Lottery Fund which we'll hear about in a few weeks.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Wish you the best of luck. It's a very brave thing to do but ultimately,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52a very worthwhile thing, as well.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- So, really, good luck. - Thanks.- Thank you very much.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04I've got great admiration for Roger and Joanie's determination
0:16:04 > 0:16:07to change the fortunes of buildings like this.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12Really heart-warming to think it could once again be a family home.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16And yes, of course, it's an extremely long term aim
0:16:16 > 0:16:18but if anyone's got the passion
0:16:18 > 0:16:23to change that vision into a fantastic reality,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25I think it might just be them.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Earlier, I met Diana Christie
0:16:28 > 0:16:31and Rowley Belcher who bought an empty church in Guildford
0:16:31 > 0:16:33with the hope of turning it into a family home.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37With lots of renovation and planning questions on their mind,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I'm taking them to meet a man who realised his dream
0:16:40 > 0:16:44and turned a forgotten church into it quirky, modern bachelor pad.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Well, guys, this is it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- First impressions, quite a match, huh?- Wow.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Angel Guerrero picked up this 200-year-old empty church
0:16:56 > 0:16:59ten years ago for £160,000.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02When this real-life guardian angel first opened the church's doors,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06it was dark, dank and desperately in need of someone with vision
0:17:06 > 0:17:07and drive to bring it back to life.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12When I originally got the place, I was told it had been empty for about nine years.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15It looked like a spooky old building from one of those horror movies and
0:17:15 > 0:17:20I thought, wow, this is lovely, you could really do something with this.
0:17:20 > 0:17:26And the good thing is four solid walls, the roof needed
0:17:26 > 0:17:30a little bit of work and the rest is what you wanted to make of it.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35I thought, wow, knock everything out and just start from a big empty space.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40Former car salesman Angel had no experience of property renovation
0:17:40 > 0:17:42but was up for the challenge
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and completed the entire build by himself,
0:17:44 > 0:17:50hiring in manual labourers only to help him with the heavy lifting.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54To do the floating platform, that was, I think, the biggest challenge.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58I've got four steel beams that I had to bring in through the front door
0:17:58 > 0:18:01and they weigh about two tons each.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03So, with trolley jacks,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06a little winch and stuff,
0:18:06 > 0:18:07we brought them in.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11And then, to lift them up, that was another feat in itself.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13But we got there in the end.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16The entire renovation took him eight years to complete.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Nothing is rocket science in the building trade.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25It's just, er, finding out how to do stuff on the internet
0:18:25 > 0:18:26and working out how to make it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29But doing it himself meant he saved thousands of pounds
0:18:29 > 0:18:31that he would have spent on tradesmen.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34The staircase I was quoted £14,000 for.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39I ended up buying the wood, I think the wood came to about £360
0:18:39 > 0:18:40and it worked out well.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43And starting afresh gave Angel
0:18:43 > 0:18:46the freedom to let his imagination run wild.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56I just love making things that are weird and wonderful and different.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59It's not something that you can do in a normal house.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03The result is a bespoke, fun living space,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05completely unique to its owner.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07After all this hard work,
0:19:07 > 0:19:09it's an amazing place to come home to at night.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11It feels like home.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13It's taken a long time to get to feel like home
0:19:13 > 0:19:17but it's there now and I love the place.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Angel worked alongside an officer from English Heritage
0:19:22 > 0:19:26to safeguard the original features of the church,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29preserving the exterior that dates back to 1837.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Inside, he's married the old with the new,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34introducing a floating platform,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38installing multicoloured fluorescent lighting and making the most of
0:19:38 > 0:19:41the ample headroom to showcase his vintage motorbike collection.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Come through and see this.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48Wow-wee!
0:19:48 > 0:19:50This is amazing.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Isn't it something. Step into this space, see how it feels.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Including the bike.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00Bikes, kitchens, altars, it is amazing, isn't it?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Crikey. It certainly is.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Dare we touch on the dreaded subject of planning?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10The biggest problem is every time I put plans in,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12they would take nine months to say no.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15How did you get around that? Is there any practical advice,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18in terms of trying to make the planning application process
0:20:18 > 0:20:21as efficient as possible, from your side of things?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25You've got, I think, eight weeks before you can put in an appeal.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29The day after, I'd put in an appeal. I wouldn't even wait two days.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31So, if you haven't heard, you're saying,
0:20:31 > 0:20:36challenge the process slightly by putting the appeal in to make it maybe rise up the priority list?
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Go in and see them, have a chat with them. That's the best way.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43One of Angel's major planning achievements was being granted
0:20:43 > 0:20:48permission to change the stained glass for clear panels
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and to glaze a section of roof, allowing natural light
0:20:51 > 0:20:54to stream into the building for the first time.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56The amount of light you get in here, it must be a joy.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Yeah, it is, it's lovely.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02So, how does it feel when you're cooking and looking out on that?
0:21:02 > 0:21:05It's great. It's an inspiration to do more cooking.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09On the practical side of things, how do you stop a whole church
0:21:09 > 0:21:12steaming up when you make pasta or something?
0:21:12 > 0:21:13Well, it's quite simple.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17You just flick the switch and the extractor comes up.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Now, that's thinking outside the box.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24That's really clever. It shows you, as well,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27you're going to come up against all sorts of problems
0:21:27 > 0:21:30but you don't have to suddenly think, I've got to have a big extractor.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33You can find a solution. It's a good time to be doing this.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There's a lot of technology that can help you
0:21:36 > 0:21:38get out of some tricky situations.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42And it's also a good use of the time spent waiting for planning,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46you can start researching the detail of what you want to do.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50I think we've learned from this kitchen - bold and modern
0:21:50 > 0:21:53can actually accentuate the old gothic style
0:21:53 > 0:21:57so I think that's something to bear in mind, especially with the style of your building.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Great. Shall we see some more? - Yeah.- Come on, then.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07Upstairs, the floating platform becomes Angel's main living area,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10complete with glass balconies to maximise the light
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and views of his grand refurbishment.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Next door is one of four bedrooms he's created.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- Right, so, I guess this is the master bedroom, is it?- Yeah.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24My eye is immediately drawn to this. We've talked a bit about windows
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- but this is an example of where you had to cut the window in half?- Yeah.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33I didn't have any options, really, to make the four bedrooms.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37I didn't want to cut any more windows than I had to so, two had to go.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And from the outside, I made it look as narrow as possible,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45the cut, so the floor tapers to the end.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48As you get to the window, it goes down to about six inches and then,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52there's a stained glass window on the outside to disguise that, as well.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- That's a good tip. - A really good idea.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00Your windows are a little... well, a lot higher than ours but that's a really good way around it.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03These guys have it all ahead of them.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Looking back on what you've been through,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08any kind of last advice you'd like to impart their way?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Well, the lovely thing is you've got a blank canvas,
0:23:10 > 0:23:16you can let your mind run wild, you can do anything and everything.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19It's just coming up with ideas, so just keep on top
0:23:19 > 0:23:20and carry on going.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22We're really looking forward to it.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Thank you for letting us see your lovely home.
0:23:25 > 0:23:26Pleasure.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Back in Amber Valley, empty property officer Sue Lee
0:23:31 > 0:23:34is on a mission to save Britain's abandoned homes.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38She's on her way is to an affluent area outside of Derby
0:23:38 > 0:23:40to respond to complaints about an empty house.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44The empty has been on Sue's radar for five years
0:23:44 > 0:23:47but this is the first time she's received official complaints.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48I can see why the neighbours
0:23:48 > 0:23:52are concerned about the garden looking overgrown at the front.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56It just all adds to the view that it's not cared for,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58that nobody's been here for a while
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and that nobody's trying to maintain it.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Sue's main objective is to check if the place is secure.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Oh, gosh.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12I thought for one minute that was going to open.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14It must be locked at the top.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16But it's at the other side of the house
0:24:16 > 0:24:19that Sue discovers something of far greater concern.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21There's a window that has been smashed here.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27The back door is open so you can just wander straight into the house.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30As Sue continues to explore,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34it seems that whoever has broken in has not left empty-handed.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Oh. Right. It looks like...
0:24:39 > 0:24:43..somebody has tried to take the copper piping at some point.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46The ceiling's come down as they've ripped the piping out.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Because there are pipes still remaining,
0:24:50 > 0:24:55I really need to get this property secured and get that window bordered
0:24:55 > 0:24:57so there's no access again into the house.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Having completed her investigation, Sue needs to decide
0:25:01 > 0:25:06on the best plan of action to make the house secure and to get it back into use again.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09What I need to do is go back to the owner,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12get them to secure the property,
0:25:12 > 0:25:13tidy it up,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15make it look a lot better in the interim
0:25:15 > 0:25:17before they bring it back into use.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20If the owner doesn't do what I ask voluntarily,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22then I'll be serving legal notices.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25If they don't comply with those, we'll do the work ourselves
0:25:25 > 0:25:28and we'll recharge that back to the owner.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31If the owner doesn't pay that, we'll be enforcing sale of it.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Back in Surrey, Diana and Rowley
0:25:35 > 0:25:37have been visiting a converted church,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40getting inspiration for their own project.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Ah! Well, today, that's quite a property to look around, isn't it?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48How has it been for you? Have you found it inspiring?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51It's been absolutely amazing, a wonderful experience.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Seeing what can be done
0:25:53 > 0:25:57and the fact that he's done most of it himself is amazing.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01So, it's a hard act to follow but lots and lots of good advice.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05And with planning, it is going to be a battle for you but he is saying
0:26:05 > 0:26:08you can have the perfect home at the end of it if you do it right.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I think that the buildings that he has and that we have
0:26:12 > 0:26:15are special buildings so, it's worth waiting for.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19So, we're prepared to wait and take as long as it needs.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Guys, I wish you the best of luck from the bottom of my heart.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- I'm sure you will do a great job. Hang in there.- Thank you.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Well, it's been delightful to show Diana and Rowland
0:26:30 > 0:26:32this incredibly unique place.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Hopefully, it's going to help them overcome some of the big problems they face,
0:26:36 > 0:26:43namely, how you create and live on two floors in a building really only ever designed for one.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Now, of course, it's going to take some careful planning
0:26:46 > 0:26:51and lots of hard work to get permission to change their church into a residential dwelling
0:26:51 > 0:26:53but fingers crossed they can get through that soon
0:26:53 > 0:26:56and quickly begin work
0:26:56 > 0:26:58on the home they desperately want to create together.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:19 > 0:27:21E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk