Project: Conservation of Grade II "Listed" Edale House

Conservation of Grade II Listed house in Edale, in the Hope Valley.

Reputed to be one of the oldest houses in that part of the valley and subject to considerable alteration historically as its status and use changed since the 17th Century. With little recorded information on its history (aside from an appearance in film Charley Bubbles in 1967 where Liza Minnelli stays in the house), the project required a lot of research to try and ascertain the significance of the building and allow interpretation of the structure and its evolution over the past the centuries, and understanding of the impact of the proposed alterations.

The house had been subject to many years of inappropriate, unsympathetic and unauthorised alteration and the new owner sought to conserve the historic property, reinstating historic detailing and materials using traditional crafts and trades and removing the inappropriate alterations, as well as adapting and upgrading the house to suit 21st Century use and integrating 21st Century craftwork and skills, as well as reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

The thin concrete ground floor slab was replaced with an insulated floor with underfloor heating, new electrics and lighting installed throughout and plaster repairs and modern partitions to the entrance porch removed.

The first floor was subject to some re-arrangement, to restore the third bedroom to its former proportions (removing an inset en-suite); the sub-divided corridor opened up to improve natural lighting and remove modern partitions and the main bathroom (previously formed by a partitioning of the corridor) relocated to a more appropriate space. The historic first floors were repaired where decayed and dangerous, supplemented with a new timber structure and conserved where historic floor boards remained.

The previous water supply from a tank in the hills was replaced with a water-source bore hole and the building fitted with a new smart heating and hot water system.

Externally, the drainage was overhauled and new drainage installed to the rear to mitigate damp in the building.

Working with the PDNPPA, we agreed a scope of works to remedy previous unauthorised works, including removal of the porch and replacement of the stair balustrade. The external windows and doors were all replaced with appropriately detailed fittings, integrating double glazing and the exterior of the building re-pointed in lime mortar and minor repairs undertaken.

The attention to detail by the Client in the fixtures and fittings results in an exquisitely furnished property, worthy of its status.

The project was recognised for its commitment to building conservation at the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust Awards 2021 with a Commendation.