have time to project manage and working with them was great.” The second round of planning permission focused on removing the lean-to ground oor kitchen extension and replacing it with a two-storey extension to create a new kitchen and two ensuite bathrooms upstairs, as well as adding a new timber porch, incorporating the outbuilding as a ‘snug’, and generally restoring the fabric of the building. “My brief to James was ‘it has to be wow’,” says Mark. “And it is. The front of the cottage looks like it did when it was built,” – estimated to be some time in the 1700s. “It looks bigger from the outside than it is, as the granite walls are three feet thick, so we went open-plan inside and took off the back wall, extending out as far as we could go; about nine feet.” The additional requirements from the special conservation status included cladding the upper storey of the rear extension in the same Cornish ‘Delabole’ slate as the roof, “which together cost us tens of thousands” says Mark. There are also three rooights on the property, as Mark was not permitted to add windows upstairs at the back, due to overlooking issues. The only rooights permitted were conservation-


44 www.sbhonline.co.uk


approved, marine-grade stainless steel framed units. This is because the cottage is in a coastal village, where charming sea views are offset by a fine layer of salt from wind-driven spray after a winter storm. The whole property has been specified to deal with the elements, using marine grade fittings, so they should  in theory  last,” says Mark.


This second phase of the works turned the building from a derelict wreck to the pretty cottage Mark always knew lay beneath the neglect. Mark’s builder, Darren, took out what was left of the first oor to make it safe and also took down the back wall. When this was rebuilt for stability, it was thinner and the extension added, with the stairs moved to this part of the building from their previous position in the middle of the cottage, opposite the front door. Although the new windows are conservation- grade PVCu with the appearance of timber, the remaining new joinery was made bespoke by local craftsman obert lackworthy. This includes the new front porch, which ramps up the cuteness factor of the cottage considerably. obert also made the front door and the fascias.


MARK’S TOP TIPS


* Make sure you know exactly what the property


needs before buying it


* Use professionals who specialise in projects that you’re about to undertake


* Use builders that are realistic in terms of what


they have to do – so that they price the job cor- rectly and you don’t get too big a shock before you commit


may/jun 2024


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