New Barn Cottage – Sustainable Renovation & Heritage

Project Overview

New Barn Cottage is situated within Seven Sisters Country Park in East Sussex, in the sensitive landscape of the South Downs National Park and within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). At Home Services was appointed by the South Downs National Park Authority to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment of the property, combining improvements to the existing building fabric with modern renewable energy technologies.

The project encompassed extensive internal and external refurbishment, structural and roofing works, thermal upgrades, renewable energy installations, building services, drainage and landscaping. The objective was to improve the performance, comfort and longevity of the cottage while delivering works appropriate to its environmentally sensitive rural setting.

Challenges and Requirements

The location, existing construction and ambitious energy strategy presented a number of technical and logistical challenges. Key considerations included:

1. Environmentally Sensitive Location: The property is located within Seven Sisters Country Park and an SSSI, requiring careful planning and management of construction activities to minimise their impact on the surrounding environment.
2. Existing Building Fabric: The refurbishment required a combination of structural strengthening, masonry repairs, Helifix reinforcement, repointing and improvements to ventilation while retaining and working sympathetically with the existing property.
3. Roof Replacement and Renewable Integration: The existing roof was stripped and renewed with new felt, battens and traditional clay tiles, alongside structural strengthening. In-roof photovoltaic panels were incorporated across two roof elevations to provide renewable generation without compromising the appearance of the finished roof.
4. Integrated Energy Systems: The cottage required the coordination of multiple renewable and backup energy technologies, including solar PV, battery storage, biomass heating and standby generation.
5. Rural Site Logistics: The location required careful coordination of materials, specialist contractors, deliveries and plant throughout the programme.

Project Execution

At Home Services managed the project from pre-construction through to completion, coordinating our directly employed workforce, specialist subcontractors and suppliers alongside the client and professional team.

The works included:

• Roofing and Structural Works: Complete stripping and renewal of the roof covering, new felt and battens, structural strengthening, clay roof tiles, masonry repairs, Helifix reinforcement and repointing.
• Thermal Improvements: Significant upgrades to the property’s insulation, including approximately 450mm of loft insulation and improvements to the insulated skeilings.
• Solar PV and Battery Storage: Installation of in-roof photovoltaic panels across two roof elevations, integrated with BYD battery storage and SMA inverter technology.
• Biomass Heating: Installation of a 15kW Fröling PECO biomass boiler, buffer equipment and pellet storage within a dedicated external plant room.
• Backup Power: Integration of a standby diesel generator and automatic transfer system to support the property’s electrical and renewable energy installation.
• Internal Refurbishment: Bathroom and kitchen works, flooring, joinery, decorations and improvements to the existing internal building fabric.
• Heating and Cooking: Installation of a Clearview wood-burning stove alongside an LPG cooking installation.
• External Works: Drainage improvements, soakaways, fencing and landscaping designed to complement the surrounding country park.
• Connectivity: Installation of Starlink connectivity suitable for the property’s rural location.

Throughout the project, At Home Services managed programming, procurement, health and safety, specialist subcontractors, variations and instructions, commissioning and liaison with the project team. Comprehensive Operation & Maintenance information and as-built documentation were also prepared for handover.

Outcome

The completed refurbishment combines the character of a traditional rural cottage with significantly improved building performance and a comprehensive renewable energy strategy.

New Barn Cottage now benefits from solar generation, battery storage, biomass heating and backup generation alongside extensive improvements to its roof, insulation, building fabric and internal accommodation.

The project demonstrates At Home Services’ ability to coordinate traditional construction techniques with modern building services and renewable technologies while successfully delivering complex works within an environmentally sensitive and operationally challenging location.