Recapturing the past

Richard Stott and Sharon Wolstencroft have rescued an agricultural barn from ruin and added a contemporary, yet sensitively designed, extension

- Natasha Brinsmead

HOMEOWNER Richard Stott and Sharon Wolstencroft

PROJECT Brick barn conversion and timber frame extension

LOCATION Yorkshire

BUILD TIME 11 months

SIZE 149m2

PLOT COST £147,950

BUILD COST £254,000

VALUE £650,000 (in 2019)

When we saw this barn, we knew we had found the property for us, but we never dreamed we would get it,” says Richard Stott of the beautiful restored agricultural building he and partner Sharon now call home. The couple had been searching for a restoration project for some time, keen to turn a neglected building into a loved one. When they came across the dilapidated barn, they saw its potential, but soon discovered they would be up against some tough competition to make it theirs as the barn was being sold through sealed bids.

SLATE AND CLAY

The extension has been clad in vertical timber to reference the local agricultural buildings, while the roof is slate a nice contrast to the clay tiles on the original barn.

SEEING THE POTENTIAL

“Right from the start, I could see the design in my head,” says Richard, who is an architect. “I drew up some quick sketches and we submitted them for a pre-application enquiry while we worked out how much we’d bid.”

Richard and Sharon were hoping to convert and extend the barn into a four-bedroom home, as opposed to a two-bedroom property, which the barn already had permission for.

THE BUILD