When renovating a period property, the first stages often tend to look more destructive than constructive!

Over at Acorn Cottage in Staffordshire, we've just begun transforming this 200-year-old home with pile foundations for a carefully planned extension.

The Challenge of Heritage Renovations

Historic cottages present unique challenges. Original features like exposed beams, uneven floors, and centuries-old stonework need preserving while creating spaces that work for modern families. At Acorn Cottage, our brief is clear: expand the living space while maintaining the architectural character that makes this property special.

The key to successful heritage renovation is understanding what makes a building special. At Acorn Cottage, it's the combination of original architectural features, traditional proportions, the countryside setting, and notably the two listed stone structures in the garden that we're working to preserve and enhance.

Securing Planning for this Period Property

Securing planning permission for heritage properties with listed structures requires detailed proposals that demonstrate respect for both the original building and its surroundings. Our extension design complements rather than competes with the cottage's existing character, carefully considering the relationship with the listed garden structures that were crucial to achieving planning approval.

What's Next for Acorn Cottage

Installing pile foundations in a 200-year-old property required precision. These new deep foundations ensure the new extension won't affect the original structure's stability - crucial when working with historic buildings that may have shallow or non-standard foundations.

Phase one focuses on the internal renovation and single-storey kitchen extension. Over the coming months, we'll carefully restore original features while integrating modern insulation, heating, and services. The exposed beams visible in our progress photos will be retained and celebrated.

Phase two will see us removing all existing render, repointing the house, and applying new render alongside replacing all windows to dramatically improve thermal performance - ensuring this historic cottage is as energy-efficient as it is beautiful.

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Project: Acorn Cottage, Staffordshire
Scope: Internal renovation and extension (Phase 1), External renovation and re-rendering (Phase 2)
Heritage: 200-year-old cottage with two listed garden structures

For more information about renovating period properties in and around Staffordshire, please get in touch!

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