Historic Barns - Historic Barn Conversions

Within recent years there has been more emphasis on saving historic buildings by converting them to residential use. A lived-in building is maintained and has a useful purpose. Many historic barns are no longer suitable for modern agricutural practices and have fallen into disrepair from disuse or abuse.

Barns are landmark buildings, large cathedral like structures with good internal spaces. Many barns built as a response to the grain embargoes of the Napoleonic Wars already have a first floor or traces of where it was and so are attractive for conversion into houses. Barns are also quite often Listed or within the curtilage of a Listed building and are subject to archaeological recording planning constraints.

I can undertake the recording and analysis work necessary to discharge the constraints. Below are a few examples of those I have worked on recently: 2009 -

c.1800 thrashing barn with Edwardian grain processing platforms and machinery, stables and open shelter. Thaxted.

Napoleonic War era barn with added outshots and cart lodge. Subsequently remodelled as part of a Victorian High Farm and later converted to a rear aisled barn. Blackmore.

High status brick and timber barn built by the Charterhouse School in Cold Norton.

Unassuming building that is in fact a C14th aisled barn with Georgian additions. Ramsden Heath.

C16th barn attached to a c1800 barn and Victorian outshots to be converted to holiday lets. Creeksea.

Circa 1750 threshing barn that serves as a prototype for all the Napoleonic war era barns in Essex. Lawford.

Napoleonic War Era barn built from a C17th barn and many others. Watching brief discovered the original footprint and original stonework from the Waltham Abbey. Holyfield.

Contact me by e-mail to discuss your project. Whether it is for planning purposes or for your own interest I will be pleased to record your property.

I am listed on Essex County Council's list of investigators. Based in Gosfield, NW Essex.

Telephone 0794 2010703.