Lower Edge Farm: the new owners of the grade II listed farmhouse at Lower Edge have begun a sensitive programme of repairs to the original 17th century farmhouse and attached cottage. It is their intention to convert the adjoining barn, which is not listed, to form a separate residence for their daughter and her family. The farmhouse had suffered from at least 10 years of neglect and inappropriate alteration and the works have involved significant investment and care to conserve this fine building.

Repair works externally have included relaying of the roof, replacing broken stone slates and incorporating a breather membrane, repair and replacement of rainwater goods (timber gutters and cast iron downpipes) and removal of cement strap pointing which was causing over weathering of the gritstone and which has been replaced with lime mortar. A number of missing hollow chamfered recessed mullions are also to be replaced and metal frame leaded light windows will be installed to the 17th century build, with painted fixed and side hung timber casements within the 18th century cottage. An inappropriate porch has also been removed from the main entrance to reveal the fine carved date stone of 1648, which includes a shield and inscribed initials, and the door surround which has a Tudor arched lintel and chamfered reveals. The door has also been replaced with a vertically boarded solid oak door.

Internally two 1970's fire surrounds have been removed to reveal some fine stone fireplaces, particularly that to the former housebody within the 17th century building. Cement plaster has been removed and replaced with lime plaster and a 1970's staircase has been removed and replaced with oak.

The owners wanted to extend the property to add a dining room and form a separate access and garaging. We began the process with an Historic Recording Report to establish the significance and sequential development of each element of the farm. Planning and Listed Building applications have also been submitted and are currently being considered by the Local Planning Authority.

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