Hoping to purchase Grade 2* C17 farmhouse, would love some advice/ guidance post survey, queries to raise and watchouts.

[Lucy&Gus]

Where in Wales are you? Our timber frame challenge (you get the idea in username) is in Mid Wales, we await LBC for a full re-roof (with bats) so we have a fair grasp of similar scenarios. @Kearn is spot on about living in the building and getting to know it. We would say the same as @jamest in dealing with damp. We have been dealing with (and still are) the various permit issues for a year. Although frustrating it has also given us a much better understanding of the building and with reflection, better ways forward including finding the right people to carry out works. Pre LBC onsite meeting was highly worthwhile, we were given several suggestions that we would never have thought consent was possible for. The CO was dead keen and with him we got to open up some panelling revealing a hidden room. Be prepared for the additional costs, ecology surveys, drawings for LBC, NRW, archaeology recording etc. they mount up.

We are looking at Monmouthshire.

Heaven knows how long the LBC will take for the roof and considering there is usually a nursary of bats over the summer, my thinking is this work wouldn't be started until 2027(!?), but we are happy to save time on the sale and do it ourseleves. Added benefit is knowing WHO will be doing it, downside is having disposable ££ to cover quotes and unexpected surprises. But it sounds like this is all part of the fun of owning a listed building!

Good shout about pre LBC onside meetings, thanks. I have tried to contact the CO already, but we have managed to get hold of a spciealist via the ex head of heritage, who now works at Cadw - so feel this is a start in the right direction for us.

Can I ask what the acronym for NRW is?

 

[Lucy&Gus]

I can confirm re woodworm 'specialist' (TBC who) - that we got word today the vendor is happy to share reports with us and reocmmendations, prior to any remdial work! I

 

[G2-SSSI-NNR-RHPG]

We are looking at Monmouthshire.

Heaven knows how long the LBC will take for the roof and considering there is usually a nursary of bats over the summer, my thinking is this work wouldn't be started until 2027(!?), but we are happy to save time on the sale and do it ourseleves. Added benefit is knowing WHO will be doing it, downside is having disposable ££ to cover quotes and unexpected surprises. But it sounds like this is all part of the fun of owning a listed building!

Good shout about pre LBC onside meetings, thanks. I have tried to contact the CO already, but we have managed to get hold of a spciealist via the ex head of heritage, who now works at Cadw - so feel this is a start in the right direction for us.

Can I ask what the acronym for NRW is?

NRW - Natural Resources Wales, they will be automatically consulted as part of LBC. This will result in the ecology report (bats) being made part of the LBC in addition NRW will require and issue the protected species licence for your roof works. Talking of bats, now is the time to get the bat surveys in hand (if you have not yet). Finally, if you have a septic tank or treatment plant you need a Water Discharge Exemption from NRW. If this is the case, hopefully the vendor will have registered it. It is usually straightforward (when not near or in SSSI, near boreholes etc.) and is free.