Prospect Barn, Withernwick, East Yorkshire.

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Build Diary

13th July 1999
Prospect Barn and four building plots advertised for sale in the Hull Daily Mail Property Guide.
13th July 1999 4:45pm
Collected particulars from Leonard’s Estate Agents.
13th July 1999 6:30pm
My partner Mike and myself drive to Withernwick to view the barn. Mike Decides that it is too far from our work places, therefore we did not place an immediate offer.
16th July 1999
I manage to convince Mike that Withernwick is not too far allowing me to place an offer. This was declined as we were too late; a price had been agreed with another potential purchaser. I was not willing to get involved with the practice of "Gazumping".
15th September 1999
Prospect Barn was re-advertised as the initial purchaser backed out of the sale. I wasted no time and resubmitted my offer.
20th September 1999
Offer Accepted and Solicitors instructed.
October 1999
Reports of the Great Crested Newt cause concern, being a protected species.
October 1999
Problems with the route of the Public Right of Way that traverses the site. Initial plans show the path passing through the barn itself.
November 1999
Received information regarding Newts and there protection. After studying the documentation a plan was drawn up detailing a timetable and procedure’s as to cause minimal effect on the newts and their habitat during the restoration of the barn.
January 2000
More Newt problems. The feelings of local villagers were quite passionate about the local environment. A survey was to be commissioned by the vendor to ascertain if the Newts used the deep pond 50m away from the barn as a breeding pond.
March 2000
A route for the Public Right of Way was agreed. It still crossed the site but missed the building itself.
March 2000
An ecological survey was carried out on the pond. The result showed that newts were not present, although in future years this may change.
Early June 2000
Completed at last! Architect Jonathon Hobson RIBA instructed. Insurance taken out.
5th August 2000
Fenced and secured barn
22nd August 2000
Submitted plans to local authority
17th October 2000
Planning permission granted
26th October 2000
Scaffolding placed around barn, following the kind permission of Mr Fenton to place part of the scaffold on his land.
27h October 2000
Made late night deliveries to barn, ready for early start repairing the roof on the 28th. Lorry got bogged down in mud twice. We didn’t leave the barn until 11pm. This appears to be the start of the hard work and problems.
28th October 2000
A new problem, following recent downpours the truck delivering 10 ton of sand also manages to get stuck in the mud! The only solution was to discharge the sand on the public right of way leaving Mike, a Friend and myself to move the pile by hand.
30th October 2000
Tornadoes sighted in Great Britain, massive floods.  The fence securing the site is blown down. The wind also prevents safe delivery rigid roofing insulation. The materials had to be re-delivered to Mike’s work place as a temporary measure. The weather prevented any more work being carried out that day.
31st October 2000
Weather improves and the de-tiling of the roof is completed.
1st November 2000
Regardless of "White Rabbits" the poor weather returns. The roofing schedule falls behind. With the roofer due to start work in 6 days there was a lot to do. The new roof construction involved the replacement of rotten timbers, then the treatment of woodworm; this can not be done when it is raining. After this the brickwork needs repairing to create a stable base for the roof construction. As the new roof is to be a "Warm roof" construction, treated matchboard is to be placed above the existing roof spars. On top of the matchboard sits the rigid insulation then felt is laid on top of this. Above the felt sits counter battens and then rocklats. This takes the construction to the stage that the roofer is required, therefore there is still a lot to do in the six remaining days.
Site work is rained off at 3pm. We return to Mike’s workplace to continue the treatment of the Matchboard. The treatment involves the brush application of stain to waterproof and protect the timber and then once this is dried a clear fire retardant substance is applied. The last timber was treated at 9pm.
2nd November 2000
Mike continues repairing the wooden spars. The new plan is to complete one side for the roofer to start, and then they can work simultaneously.
Rain returns at 12pm, again preventing the application of the woodworm treatment.
12th November 2000
Various problems encountered since the last entry. Worries about the ability of the old timbers to take the new roof structure and more bad weather. The Tyler had to be postponed while the Architect, re-checks his structural calculations. This also provides an opportunity to catch up following the bad weather. Sub-contractors are also employed to carry out the joinery work and the brick work to ensure a sound base for the new roof. Fingers crossed the Tyler shall start work on Monday 20th November.
A site caravan is put in place to provide a place to dry out etc.
18th & 19th November 2000
The majority of the treated match boarding has now been fixed to the repaired roof structure. From the inside it gives a real insight how the finished ceiling will look. The front of the barn has also been corbelled out ready to receive the cast iron guttering. The rear of the building will not be as straight forward to corbel due to the walls distortion over the buildings 250 year life, fortunately we have a great builder working for us. All the insulation has also been cut ready to be fixed to the matchboard. Saturday was quite frustrating, problems with generators, skill saws, and lighting, but with a lot of patience (mainly by Mike) achievements were made. As a result Sunday was a real success, but very tiring, I learnt the art of ladder climbing with a brick in each hand, and Mike worked on his pointing skills (well patching!). Hopefully the work we put in this weekend was sufficient to give the sub contractors a head start on the Monday.
15th December 2000
Over the past six weeks the barn has experienced great change and adverse weather conditions. Just when you think that the storms are over another force 9 hits the barn!! On Tuesday 13th December the lean-to's roof blew off and landed in one piece within the building itself!!! Fortunately the roof is now back in place, but the scaffolding is still needed (more expense!).
23rd December 2000
With good intentions of planting a hedge we had a rude awakening, hardcore many years old and below that highly compressed clay. Not even Charlie Dimmock can sort this one out. The only solution was to arrange for many tons of topsoil to be imported and a JCB needed to cut the trench. This has been put on hold for a while.
29th December 2000
Snow, Snow, Snow and more snow!!
1st January 2001
To tired from the night before, scaffolding still in place, this shall be removed shortly to reveal the fantastic work of John our master bricklayer and cold weather survival expert! 15 metres of daffodils planted, should be a nice treat for the public right of way user in the spring.
19th April 2001
The last time I updated this site it was early January, scaffolding was still in place and poor John the Builder was still busy pointing.
Since then we had submitted our building regulations, but with little success, having a change in building inspector already.
The Public Right of Way traversing the site has been closed as part of the Foot and Mouth precautions, this has been a real blessing in disguise. As a result of the closure we have been able to dig trenches, lay drains and services, construct a temporary road and upgrade the Public Right of Way itself. Some serious horticultural activity has taken place, 50 metres of hedge composed of various plant species. As a result approximately 80 trees have been planted, although 60 of these will be trimmed, as they are Hawthorn and Beech and part of the hedge. The Wildlife garden is also taking shape, a pond has been dug, and native trees planted, notably Oak, Ash, Willow and Birch.
Following the excavation work Humber Archaeology Partnership carried out a watching brief, highlighting a curious find. I am presently awaiting the report but as far as I understand some stone work possible from an important building was unearthed. The stone was found acting as a culvert over an old drain. My own personal idea is that the stone was once part of a monastery that was demolished as a result of Henry the VII becoming head of the church of England. Locals of the time would have taken parts from the building and reused them, in the case of the piece found at the barn, the stone was used as a culvert. To me the find of this stone indicates that the significant building from which the stone originated was fairly close to the barn as the piece we lifted was not easily moved.
With regards to wildlife the Great Crested Newt has continued to keep a low profile which means that adhering to English Natures guidelines have meant no conflict. The true test will be when the House Martins return looking to nest. Other birds living at the barn are Gold finches, Pied wagtails and Great tits.
Windows have now been installed to the upper floor of the barn and the garage part almost completed, having a new roof, new doors, a new concrete floor and window, and a temporary toilet, a very temporary toilet!
The next stage is to complete the garden rooms brickwork and roof before it blows off again!!
August 2001
The Great Crested Newts have put in an appearance at last! I must admit though that they are difficult to recognize as there is no evidence of a crest, but they are great! The ones we've seen so far are jet black with tiny white dots near their underside, I assume they are female.
As for the building itself, all the windows are just about in, but there are a few doors still to make, but it is certainly taking shape nicely. The next major job will be the concreting of the floor.
September 2001
29th September and at last the concrete has arrived! It was a last minute arrangement which meant that Friday night until late was spent preparing the building by laying visqueen, removing the toilet and tidying up. So much for painting the cast iron rainwater goods that arrived this week. In less than a year a lot has been achieved in our spare time, new photographs have been posted to illustrate this.

October 2001

With the concrete almost cured the barn has turned into a large production area to paint the cast iron rainwater goods, the paint is still under my nails. It is proving to be an awkward exercise especially trying to convince the water to fall towards the fall pipes! People wonder why we have selected such an old, difficult and expensive form of guttering but in a months time when all the spikes are in and the guttering fixed it will be apparent for all to see.

In addition to dealing with the cast iron this month we have taken delivery of timber for the first floor joists, a job for November!

November 2001

The fantastic guttering and pipes are now fully installed, and an unusual and very temporary looking chimney has appeared! OK please don't panic, it is a temporary flue for our little pot belly stove that we have installed just to keep us a little bit warmer whilst working on these cold dark evenings. The chimney will disappear once the proper central heating is installed. As well as this addition we have also got the first floor joists in!! We are really making progress now, there is even talk of laying floor boards!! Who knows we may be in at Easter, well subject to the sale of my house in Hull! (Welwyn Park Avenue, two bedrooms, upstairs bathroom, fantastic conservatory, front and rear garden with side access and rear vehicle access and large brick garage. Many features, Double glazing, central heating, Victorian real fire, etc....Offers in the region of £38000)

December 2001

What a difference a month makes! If you are a local villager you will notice that we have got into the Christmas spirit and decorated the building with fairy lights but they are certainly no competition for the fantastic display laid on a few doors away on West Lambwath Road. Other than this the external appearance of the barn hasn't changed (well except the fence blowing down AGAIN!!!!). Internally is another story, the first floor is in place and the timber walls are taking shape nicely, even the curved ones! The speed that Mike is working, I am sure that moving into the partially completed barn in April certainly isn't over ambitious, but I need to sell my house first!

January 2002

OK last month I anticipated the move in date could be April but I have now decided that June the 23rd would be a more suitable date allowing me to sit my surveying exams before the stress of the big move! As for developments at the barn we are presently chemically injecting a damp proof course (well the Soper Group is!). The tradesmen are also completing the final bits of internal brickwork. Once this is completed we can continue forming the ground floor rooms.

March 2002

Plasterboard and rock wool insulation have become familiar sights at the barn, me with my yellow rubber gloves and dust mask and Mike with his hammer and clout nails! Things upstairs are certainly taking shape, the plasterer is booked for the week leading up to Easter so fingers crossed I should be decorating shortly! However the ground floor has seen little or no progression. The builders have been so busy that the DPC and subsequent ground floor works have been put on hold. We are now very doubtful about the move in date, I think I was being a bit premature in declaring June, even if I have booked a weeks leave from work! Anyway the deal is "we are not moving in until all the walls are plastered!".

July 2002

My house is now under offer so if the barn is not finished shortly we will be homeless! Fortunately Mikes parents have kindly offered us a bed, however things are now moving. The damp proof course has now been injected (twice!) and the downstairs partitions have been erected. The next stage following the insulation and boarding and skimming of the walls is the laying of the underfloor heating and the screed. On a positive note the master bedroom is ready for us to move in, once the bathroom is in place we could almost move in!

September 2002

September 16th 2002, the sale on my house completed yet the barn was no where near completed. As a result Mike and myself took up the kind offer from Mikes parents. We decided that it wasn't possible to move into the barn until we had a means of getting washed, i.e. a shower and a sink to wash pots and prepare food etc. This would take some time as the shower that we had ordered had a six week delivery time.

October 2002

We are really making headway, no sign of the shower yet but things are coming together

November 2002

The shower arrived, it has been fitted and on Saturday 23rd November we officially moved in! However there is no heating other than two electric heaters and a temporary wood burning stove. We are in need of a good plumber. Hot water is presently provided by a kettle or through the electric shower. It is normal to sleep with two quilts but it is great to live in Withernwick, pity we are too busy to appreciate it at the moment, come Christmas we might have some heating.

December 2002

The cold and the excessive use of electricity to heat the barn has got the better of us. As a result Mike has commissioned the wood stove himself. We have gone from living in the Arctic to the Bahamas in less than a week, well until Christmas Eve when I managed to create havoc, melting the underfloor heating pipes by accident (whoops!). Mike soon fixed it, well shortly before Santa turned up.

January 2003

One week later and Mike discovers how to cause meltdown himself, the electronics needed a little tinkering! One amazing addition to the barn early this month was the spiral staircase being commissioned. It is a real feature.

March 2003

Time for a holiday, war breaks out, two days later we fly to Beijing. The war wasn't our greatest worry with the outbreak of SARS! In China we bought some great tiles for the barn, pity they were damaged in transit, it looks as though there will be even more mosaics in the barn.

May 2003

We have been doing some serious gardening this month and spent some serious money doing it. We have needed to remove 60 tonnes of hardcore from the barn and import 70 tonnes of topsoil! Fortunately the hardcore went to a good use as a gentleman in the next village required it to create a hard standing area. We have now got a greenhouse, kindly donated from Mikes Dad and we have planted an orchard, well 8 fruit trees and we have created a lawn and a vegetable patch. Charlie Dimmock and Alan Titchmarch would be proud of us both.
 

November 2003

Hot water at last, heated by the woodstove. No more boiling the kettle to wash pots or standing under the electric shower, that's a saving of 50p a day!!! Oh what will I spend the money on!

February 2004

First floor bathroom completed, including a bath. We decided that a shower pump was needed just to boost the water flow. Who knows at this rate we may have a kitchen by Christmas.

April 2004