0:00:03 > 0:00:06Across the country, empty buildings that could be homes
0:00:06 > 0:00:08are waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11I'll be finding out why,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I'll be doing some digging of my own
0:00:16 > 0:00:19to find out more about our housing stock, our heritage,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22and why we should both be reinventing, and preserving,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Britain's empty homes.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36If you're looking for a home in a remote and picturesque location,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39finding something that is affordable and suitable
0:00:39 > 0:00:40can be an incredible challenge.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Then finding an empty property,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46and thus something even more affordable, can be even tougher.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49But if you can find one of these diamonds in the rough,
0:00:49 > 0:00:53and you're prepared to put time and energy into it,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57you could not just create a home that's perfect for you,
0:00:57 > 0:01:02you could also wake up every morning with a view a little bit like that.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Today I am meeting a theatre director whose latest production
0:01:06 > 0:01:09is proving trickier than she thought.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Everything I wanted in a house and haven't had
0:01:11 > 0:01:12has had to take a backseat.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15We'll find out how an intrepid home owner
0:01:15 > 0:01:19transformed a derelict farmhouse in an extremely remote location.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22There's a lot of builders that would not even consider this property
0:01:22 > 0:01:24because it's too far out.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And we'll follow the property detectives
0:01:27 > 0:01:30working to rescue unleaded and abandoned houses.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33To be able to go along and see a problem
0:01:33 > 0:01:36I can then personally do something about
0:01:36 > 0:01:37brings me total job satisfaction.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Theatre director, Alison Grant,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43has always dreamt of living in a quaint English cottage.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Especially after spending 25 years in the USA.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51I longed for all sorts of things that England has
0:01:51 > 0:01:53that America doesn't have. A lot of that is history.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57What I want is the idyllic, English dream.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01A cottage with chickens in the garden and a dog and a cat.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06Alison recently separated from her husband and has come back to the UK.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Soon after her return she bought this abandoned Rangers cottage
0:02:10 > 0:02:12in Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15paying £300,000 for it at auction.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Everybody dropped out of the bidding at a certain point,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20and it was between me and one other lady,
0:02:20 > 0:02:25and we were obviously both emotional bidders, not investors.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27So, we bid each other up
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and it finally came to the point where I went,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33"I mustn't bid any more," and she didn't bid anything.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35The joy of winning the bidding war
0:02:35 > 0:02:39was soon tempered by the reality of what she actually bought.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43I was very pleased to find that it was structurally sound
0:02:43 > 0:02:45and had a solid roof that didn't leak.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50What it did have was an infestation of death watch beetle,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52which, apparently, nests in all the oak only.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Death watch beetles infest old timber
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and over time eat away at them.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00But if the timbers are treated properly it is possible to
0:03:00 > 0:03:02eradicate the beetles.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05There have been times over the last year
0:03:05 > 0:03:07where I've wondered about my sanity.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10There are times when I have woken up in the night and gone,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12"What have I done?"
0:03:12 > 0:03:17I'm meeting with Alison to find out more about her renovation.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Hello, Alison, I'm Joe.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- Hi, Joe, nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you, too.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26This is it, what an incredible property in a stunning area.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Yes, that's why I bought it, obviously.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30It had been empty for tow and a half years,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34it was covered, you couldn't see the view because it was so overgrown.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36It was pretty... it was pretty dire.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Let's have a look, then, you can show me around.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Crikey, look at this, it's all opened up.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52It is, indeed.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55What was it like before, when you first walk through the door?
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Very closed, very dark,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00which is why I'm going down the route of opening it up,
0:04:00 > 0:04:01and we've raised ceilings.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05To try and make it a bit more bearable to walk around in.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08You've raised the ceilings on the ground floor?
0:04:08 > 0:04:09Yes.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12We were able to do it because upstairs it's got a sloped ceiling,
0:04:12 > 0:04:13so there's more headroom.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We had to make the decision whether to go down
0:04:16 > 0:04:17or to take the ceilings are up.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19We decided we would take the ceilings up
0:04:19 > 0:04:23because you get into a whole mess of problems if you try to go down,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I understand, with damp and so on.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27OK, it feels the right height, it feels natural.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It's still quite low that it's, it's, for a cottage, it's OK.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31Yes.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34What is this behind you? It looks incredible.
0:04:34 > 0:04:35Ah, this was entirely concealed.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38It's too high for a fireplace, is it some sort of oven?
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Yes, it is a bread brick oven, is what it is.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42A bread oven.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45It looks as if it is in working order, I haven't fired it up,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Jamie Oliver cooks with one all the time.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51I'm keen to see what plans Alison has for the upstairs.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- So, this is going to be the master bedroom.- OK.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56The fireplace is going to be raised up,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00so that it's a see through fireplace with a fire on both sides.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Then through there, there's going to be a whirlpool, spa bath.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Which is why we've had reinforcements underneath,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09to bear the weight of that.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10And built-in closets.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12So, it is going to be this one magnificent...
0:05:12 > 0:05:15So, a sweeping bedroom, all the way along the front of the house.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16With the views, yes.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19You look out there, and there is such a view.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- It is, it's iconic. - It's just breathtaking.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23It's a beautiful sight,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25but inside, with all these internal timbers,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I can see why Alison's concerned about
0:05:28 > 0:05:30discovering death watch beetles.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Yes, OK, you had to take out some of the woodwork
0:05:32 > 0:05:35because of beetles, and that kind of stuff,
0:05:35 > 0:05:40but great that you've got these chimneys and the bread oven
0:05:40 > 0:05:42and a couple of fireplaces.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43- Plenty to work with there. - Oh, yes.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Looking ahead, now, at the project, is the greatest worry money?
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Yes, I would say the greatest worry is money,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53not where the money is coming from eventually,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56but how to utilise the money that I have got at the moment,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58to make it work in the best possible way.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Later, we'll go to see a property that has been completely renovated,
0:06:02 > 0:06:03by a couple, actually.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06We'll meet one of the couple to show us round,
0:06:06 > 0:06:07which is the important bit for you.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Because they are experienced in this,
0:06:09 > 0:06:14they've done it more than once, I hope they will be able to give some really good advice
0:06:14 > 0:06:16on how to make your money go as far as it possibly can,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20and just point out if he thinks that maybe, you haven't thought of.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I can see it in my mind before we started,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26and now we've started, the doubts begin to come in.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28So, just to get a little bit of reassurance
0:06:28 > 0:06:30and inspiration would be brilliant.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Well, for me, this is what taking on an empty home is all about.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Alison is going for it, complete overhaul, total renovation.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I think she's striking a nice balance between making it her own,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46you know, raising the ceilings so she's not always hitting her head.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49But also, bringing the best out of the history and character
0:06:49 > 0:06:50of the building.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Now, Alison doesn't have any experience in this,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56and clearly she is worried about her budget, her money, her cash flow.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Hopefully it's going to help her to meet an experienced home renovator,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03and hopefully he'll have some tips
0:07:03 > 0:07:06on how to make her budget go as far as she needs to.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Not every neglected property is so fortunate
0:07:09 > 0:07:13to have someone like Alison give it a new lease of life.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18Across the country it's the job of our councils empty property officers
0:07:18 > 0:07:22to try and bring Britain's forgotten homes back from the brink.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Paul Palmer is the empty property officer
0:07:25 > 0:07:27for Corby and East Northants.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33I love properties, love buildings, and I love people as well.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35So, to be able to go along and see a problem that
0:07:35 > 0:07:37I can then personally do something about,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40work with an owner to see that property brought back into use
0:07:40 > 0:07:43brings me total job satisfaction.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45In his 20 years on the job,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48he's saved 800 houses from dereliction
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and put them back into use.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Today, Paul is visiting an empty house
0:07:57 > 0:08:00in a remote, rural part of East Northants.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03The owner is absent but is considering redeveloping the plot.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07There have been reports that someone may have gained access to the house,
0:08:07 > 0:08:12so, Paul's first challenge is to work out how people are getting in.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15One of the main reasons we are here is cos the owner is concerned
0:08:15 > 0:08:17about the property being insecure.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20So, the obvious place to start his front door.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23That seems OK.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29And, it's not long before Paul finds the potential access point.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Aha!
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Now I'm inside the property, I am doing two things,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42one, looking for other points of entry
0:08:42 > 0:08:44so I can advise the owner where they are
0:08:44 > 0:08:47and what he needs to do to secure the property.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50But, two, I'm also looking for a short-term solution
0:08:50 > 0:08:53to this empty property.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55I'm looking to see what work need doing
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and perhaps we might be able to bring this property into use
0:08:59 > 0:09:02quite quickly and fairly cheaply.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Well, that's not a bad kitchen.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09What fantastic views out of the window.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11This kitchen doesn't look bad at all,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13little bit of a tidy up...
0:09:13 > 0:09:17..I think we could get this commissioned and back into use.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Bit too well ventilated with that huge, broken window behind us.
0:09:23 > 0:09:30Upstairs, Paul gets more clues about who is potentially using this house.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31So, clearly this is where
0:09:31 > 0:09:34whoever's getting into this property is coming.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37And think they're using it as, sort of, a chill out zone,
0:09:37 > 0:09:38to be honest with you.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42It's obviously not squatters, cos there's no evidence of occupation
0:09:42 > 0:09:44that squatters would normally do.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47There is no bedding, there's no beds, there's no materials,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50there's no food, clothing, or anything like that.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I suspect it is just local youngsters getting in here,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55having a good time.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Having said that, of course,
0:09:56 > 0:10:00we have to secure the property to make sure it doesn't happen again.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Job done.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Paul will now put a list together of the work required
0:10:06 > 0:10:10so the owner can renovate the house and get it rented out soon.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15I feel really positive about this property.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Clearly it was a much loved family home,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and I think it can be again fairly quickly,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21and for not too much money, either.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23So, I'm really pleased that were on the first steps
0:10:23 > 0:10:25to seeing it brought back into use.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28And I'm going to make sure it happens.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29Since our filming,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32a local developer has come to an arrangement with the owner
0:10:32 > 0:10:33to do this house up.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37The developer and his renovation team are now living in
0:10:37 > 0:10:39while the work takes place.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Buying an empty home is a bit of a leap in the dark.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Years of neglect can lead to unforeseen problems,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47but if you're brave enough to take on a property
0:10:47 > 0:10:50that others have given up on, you hold your nerve,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52you take the right advice,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55and you have the patience to see through to the end,
0:10:55 > 0:10:59you could become the owner of your dream home.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00In Northumberland,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Mary Almond has always dreamt of renovating a derelict house
0:11:04 > 0:11:05in a remote location.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10When we first came to see the farm,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14we were just driving along with the farmer, and I said,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17"Oh, that property over there, is that part of the farm?"
0:11:17 > 0:11:20And he said yes, but it is a separate lot.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21And I said to my partner,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25"Well, I really don't want to buy the farm if we can't buy that property,
0:11:25 > 0:11:29"because that's what I've always wanted to do."
0:11:29 > 0:11:31It hadn't been lived in since about the 1930s,
0:11:31 > 0:11:36the roof of the barn had fallen down, it was very derelict.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41But, before Mary could start renovating this house,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43she had to find a way of actually accessing it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45When we first came to see the farm,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48the owner said the only way you could get to this house
0:11:48 > 0:11:50would be on a quad bike.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53It was only once they have built a road in mile long,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56that they could bring in their basic utilities.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59We had to get water from a nearby farm, from a borehole.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04It was it was prohibitively expensive to get electricity here,
0:12:04 > 0:12:09so, what we have is a wind turbine in combination with a generator.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15Renovating a house in such a remote spot made getting builders hard too.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19You find if you want to do a property in the middle of nowhere,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22a lot of builders would not even consider this property,
0:12:22 > 0:12:23because it is too far out.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29During the year-long build, Mary lived in a mobile home on site.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30We bought a caravan
0:12:30 > 0:12:34and thought that the project wasn't going to take very long,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37so we didn't spend a lot of money on the caravan.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42And when it got to winter, the caravan started leaking
0:12:42 > 0:12:44and when the television blew up I said,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46"I have got to move into a house."
0:12:48 > 0:12:54In total, Mary spent £180,000 doing this old farmhouse up.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57But, for her, it was worth every penny.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00When the weather is very windy you come in from outside,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03you've got to coal in, and you've got your logs in,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07it's lovely and warm and you just batten down the hatches.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Those are the moments that I love being here.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15I was meant to build this house, I was meant to rescue it
0:13:15 > 0:13:20and it is my legacy, I suppose, I feel, that I've saved this house.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25Every time I drive over the hill and see it from the skyline I think,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27yes, that's special.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34Abandoned homes don't just affect the remote areas of our countryside,
0:13:34 > 0:13:39empty houses also have a serious impact on our inner-city areas too.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Post-war Britain was the age of the tower block,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44in the 1950s through to the late '70s,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47many large, concrete housing estates were built
0:13:47 > 0:13:51in the boom of what was seen as brave and challenging architecture.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Unfortunately,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56many of these model estates haven't stood the test of time,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59and towns and cities are looking to rebuild or renovate
0:13:59 > 0:14:01these decaying structures.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05The problem is, is that regeneration schemes don't always go to plan
0:14:05 > 0:14:09and can lead to thousands of properties being left empty
0:14:09 > 0:14:10to go to rack and ruin.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Across Britain, hundreds of council estates have been left in limbo
0:14:17 > 0:14:20because of stalled regeneration plans.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23These ghost estates often only have a few families left
0:14:23 > 0:14:28living in them and can fall into total disrepair.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30The Empty Homes Agency is an independent charity
0:14:30 > 0:14:34that campaigns to get empty buildings back into use.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36I'm meeting with the chief executive, David Ireland,
0:14:36 > 0:14:40to find out why so many council estates are empty.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42A lot of redevelopment programmes were started
0:14:42 > 0:14:44when the money was available,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46and all done for the right reasons,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49but what we've had, is we have had an economic crash,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51and we have had a big cut in public expenditure.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Which is meant a whole load of those programs now can't be finished,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59the effect of that was that it left thousands of properties empty
0:14:59 > 0:15:02across the whole country, north to south.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Some post-war estates have definitely had their time.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07But, there are also many that can still
0:15:07 > 0:15:10fulfil their role as affordable housing.
0:15:10 > 0:15:1250 years ago, we looked at Victorian houses
0:15:12 > 0:15:15and thought they were rubbish and needed to be got rid of,
0:15:15 > 0:15:16now we value them.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19So, I think it is easy to condemn them
0:15:19 > 0:15:21all as a genre of something which needs to go.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24But there's lots of people who live in these houses,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27it provides very good housing for lots of people.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Actually, maintaining them and improving the quality of them
0:15:30 > 0:15:32is what we need rather than tearing them all down.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37And when you see these big estates that are empty,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39what impact does that have on the area?
0:15:39 > 0:15:42It's very expensive to leave a property empty.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45What you therefore have to do, is spend a whole lot of money
0:15:45 > 0:15:47on security and boarding the place up
0:15:47 > 0:15:50so, there is a cost to it in the first place.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52The second thing is, it looks terrible,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55it sends such a bad message out to the community who are still there
0:15:55 > 0:15:57and the community at large.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00The Empty Homes Agency estimates that
0:16:00 > 0:16:04there are over 40,000 council flats left unused in the UK.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08In total these empty homes could potentially provide housing
0:16:08 > 0:16:10for 120,000 people,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14so, utilising even some of them is still a very sensible solution.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Now, we see that the economic crisis is going to go on for a long time.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20And we won't have public money back for a long time.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Looking at how we can get these properties reoccupied,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25even if it's just for five years or so,
0:16:25 > 0:16:26could make a huge difference
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and provide loads and loads of homes for people.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33When properties are earmarked for development,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35they're often left empty.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Derelict, they can attract antisocial behaviour,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42but much more importantly, it's just such a waste of potential housing.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Now, clearly, not every building can be rescued.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46But, on the other hand,
0:16:46 > 0:16:51this push for regeneration often results in unnecessary dereliction.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Earlier, I met theatre director, Alison Grant,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01who recently bought this old rangers cottage in East Sussex.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Alison's discovered some unexpected surprises
0:17:05 > 0:17:07lurking in the wings of the house
0:17:07 > 0:17:11and has fallen behind schedule on the build as a result.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15What it did have was an infestation of death watch beetles.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17I'm taking her to meet a couple
0:17:17 > 0:17:19who've tackled a similar renovation project
0:17:19 > 0:17:21to get some guidance and inspiration.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30In June 2008, Ian and Jan Lore fell in love with this derelict
0:17:30 > 0:17:32barn in Sedlescombe, East Sussex.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36We were going down to Hastings for the morning, and we saw it
0:17:36 > 0:17:39advertised in the estate agents window, liked it that much that we
0:17:39 > 0:17:44round the agent again the following morning and came in and had a look.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48It was then that they told us it was also going up for auction.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Ian and Jan were given a six-week deadline to
0:17:50 > 0:17:55get their finances in place or the barn would definitely go to auction.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Just in time, the Law's got the money sorted.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00And then realise the full extent of what they had taken on.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It was looking sorry for itself,
0:18:02 > 0:18:07but you could see that there were a nice lot of beams inside.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09You know, it got a nice lot of potential.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13The actual reach of the thatched roof, the straw, had all gone,
0:18:13 > 0:18:14so it was leaking inside.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Every weekend John would be working with us.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21You know, we would be humping beams about on blocks and tackles.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22A digger was sat here holding beams up
0:18:22 > 0:18:25while we were trying to jiggle them in.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28This was Ian and Jan's second barn renovation
0:18:28 > 0:18:31but, like Alison, they had to deal with some unexpected issues.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36What we hadn't budgeted for was the costings on the thatch.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41We ended up spending a lot of money on the bespoke windows and joinery.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44But the windows and joinery with the least of their worries,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49in total they went without mains electricity for around 18 months.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52And that was a nightmare, ha ha!
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Barn was nearly finished before we got our electric supply connected.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Despite all these challenges, Ian and Jan now have a spectacular home.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02We have actually said now,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04it's something we ought to have done years ago.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Although this build was on a different scale to Alison's,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10there are many similarities,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13and I'm hoping she will be able to take on some useful advice.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Hello, Ian.
0:19:15 > 0:19:16Hi, can we come in?
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Great, thank you.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22As soon as you walk in,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26it's clear that it was a huge restoration project.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Was this just one, big open barn?
0:19:28 > 0:19:29Yes.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- There were no levels in it at all? - No levels in it at all.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Just the open space with the lower levels on the outside,
0:19:35 > 0:19:39which were cow pens and animal runs.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43So, where you have got the kitchen, that was another outbuilding?
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Yes, just like a lean to on the side, which was just animal pens.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Alison's especially keen to discuss a specific issue relating to
0:19:51 > 0:19:53old timber framed buildings.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55I see you've got some wonderful beams
0:19:55 > 0:19:58that look like they've had some sort of infestation in them?
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Can you tell me a bit about that, because I have that problem.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Yes, we had them all treated after we have them all sandblasted.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08They come in and put it treatment on all the timber, the old and the new,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12because you are importing more bugs in, in the new timber.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16You bring your new timber in, you put it up alongside your old timber,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and then you just treat the whole place?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I know some of your wood had to be taken out,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23but there's definitely hope for what's left,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I'm sure you can treat it and it'll be fine.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Yes, and I would really love to save as much as I possibly can.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32One, for the looks, but also for the authenticity of the building.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35So, it's really good to hear that I might be able to say some of it.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Shall we have a look at in one of the bedrooms?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40That is probably the biggest one.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50So, this is the master bedroom, right?
0:20:50 > 0:20:51Yeah.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Great head height, there's a lot to play with here.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56To bring it all back down to earth,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and which did it cost, and did you have to go over budget?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02We thought we could do it for around about 100, 110,
0:21:02 > 0:21:03and it ended up at 160.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Wow. That's half as much again, on the budget.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Were there any sacrifices you had to make
0:21:10 > 0:21:13to allow your budget to go that little bit further?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Kitchen units, just bits and pieces
0:21:15 > 0:21:19where we haven't quite spent on quality there,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21that you would have liked to have done.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25But the budget forces you into those little areas,
0:21:25 > 0:21:26it still looks nice
0:21:26 > 0:21:29but not quite how you would have done it the first time
0:21:29 > 0:21:32round, but it's something you can always alter at a later stage.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36I think the key example is just over my shoulder,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38you put a flue in but there's no wood burner at the moment.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42But it's there for when you want it and you can afford it in the future.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45That's it, once we have saved the pennies we can pop it in.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48I don't want to do something that has got to be redone,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52but upgrading, I think is a really good way to save money in the moment.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56It's been wonderful to look round your home, thank you for letting us.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Yes, thank you.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01And, I trust, they have been the right balance of inspiration
0:22:01 > 0:22:03and some good advice coming across?
0:22:03 > 0:22:04Yes, it is really helpful to me,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07because I do tend to lose sight of where I'm going
0:22:07 > 0:22:11because it is such a construction site at the moment.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14So, to see the end result and to see the marriage of the old
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and the authentic with the new is very exciting to me,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18so, it has been inspirational.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Plus, you've told me a few things that I will definitely use,
0:22:21 > 0:22:22so, thank you.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- Oh, my pleasure. - Thank you very much.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26This has been a useful visit for Alison,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28and I'll be hooking up with her later on
0:22:28 > 0:22:31to find out how she feels about him renovation project now.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40In Corby, Northamptonshire, empty property officer Paul Palmer
0:22:40 > 0:22:43is visiting a house which has been empty for two years.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Following a fire, the building became derelict
0:22:47 > 0:22:52and the owner refused to cooperate with Paul to bring it back to use.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Under the threat of compulsory purchase, the owner finally relented
0:22:56 > 0:22:59and sold the house to a local property developer.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02The developer secured an empty property grant from the council
0:23:02 > 0:23:04and has now brought in a new tenant.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07We actually approved the grant about six weeks ago,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10and already, he's rung to tell me he has finished the works
0:23:10 > 0:23:13and there's a tenant inside which is fantastic news.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Today Paul is meeting the developer, Mark,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and the tenant to sign off the work.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Can we come in and have a look round, if that's OK?
0:23:20 > 0:23:21Yes, come in.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Thank you.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25We're going to go round the house, sign off the work,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27and make sure everything's OK.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- I'll leave you to it, then. I'll be next door.- Thanks a lot.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33This house was almost totally destroyed by the fire,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36and fallen into serious disrepair.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Paul is keen to see upstairs.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Ah, now, I remember this room,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46this was the worst one of the lot, from memory.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49If I recall, there was a mattress that had been set on fire,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51and had literally burned through the floor,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53and there was a whole looking down below.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55So, what did you have to do in this room, Mark?
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Yes, so, we have had to replace all the joists,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02and put all new flooring in, and obviously the carpet,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05decorate, this was easily the worst room in the house.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Whilst the bedrooms were severely affected by fire damage,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13it's the kitchen that has really been transformed beyond recognition.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16This is the kitchen, this is nice.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21Yes, so, we put all new units in, worktop, integrated hob,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25windows, new electrical system, top to bottom refurbished and refinished.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Well, the tenant should be pleased, it is really, really lovely.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32You've done a fantastic job on this property
0:24:32 > 0:24:34in a relatively short period of time.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I know you had a lot of work to do,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and you've put the effort in, and it's paid off.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41I can see the tenant is very happy as well,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45obviously, all I need to do now, is do the paperwork,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47sign off everything, and everyone's happy.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48So, thanks very much.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Well, you're very welcome, thank you.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Before Paul signs of Mark's renovation work,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57he has just a couple more things to check.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01I think it's really great when they take over these empty houses,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03cos there's so much shortage of homes for people
0:25:03 > 0:25:06and they take something that is like a shell
0:25:06 > 0:25:07and they turn it into something nice.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10I think they've achieved that with this.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14I'm really happy with today, this was one of our worst cases,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18and we were under a lot of pressure to get it brought back into use,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20I'm really pleased, positive outcome, happy tenants.
0:25:21 > 0:25:22I'm over the moon.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Back in East Sussex, theatre director, Alison Grant,
0:25:26 > 0:25:32has hit a few delays whilst doing this abandoned rangers cottage.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36I took her to meet a couple who have taken on a timber frame restoration
0:25:36 > 0:25:38of a similar scale.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42And I'm keen to see what Alison will take home from this visit.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44How are you feeling about your project,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46is it encouraging to see this?
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I think it is been incredibly useful,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52to actually see that old wood can be used again
0:25:52 > 0:25:55and more old wood brought in,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59and actually get the look that I want, has been quite inspirational.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02Just reminding me of what I... to keep the vision.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Ian has done this before, but, still went over budget,
0:26:06 > 0:26:07so, he had to cut back,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11he had to sacrifice and to some extent do things in stages.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Yes, it was good to hear that,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and to know that somebody who's done it before
0:26:15 > 0:26:18is struggling with the same thing that I'm struggling with.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20It's a wonderful property you've got there,
0:26:20 > 0:26:22so much potential, in a great location.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- It'll be amazing when it's done. - I wish you the best with it.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Thank you very much, it has been lots of help and lots of fun.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33It's been really great for Alison to get some good, practical advice.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37And, also, remind herself how lovely a completed project can be.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40And, as for her cottage, it's in an incredible location
0:26:40 > 0:26:43with those views out across the country park.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47She is in the process of rescuing a beautiful building
0:26:47 > 0:26:52that will, once again, be a key part of the landscape and the community.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54That really will be a special home.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:02 > 0:27:06E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk