Lime&Listed was founded in 2008 by Rob Workman in response to his experiences buying, conserving, adapting and selling his own listed property. It became apparent that modern building materials were not suitable for historic buildings, often causing damp and timber decay.
Then the frustrations of understanding what alterations might be feasible, gaining the relevant planning consents in a sensible timeframe, and not to mention the general lack of suitably skilled crafts people with knowledge of the appropriate vapour permeable building materials to undertake the specialist works when consent is obtained.
Initially graduating with honours from Brunel University with an engineering degree Rob later complimented this with a post graduate diploma from Oxford Brookes in Historic Building Conservation. Rob is an advocate of the SPAB approach to building conservation.
After spending many years project managing conservation building works onsite, Rob worked as a Conservation Officer for South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and Wokingham Borough Council, broadening his experience and understanding of all heritage planning matters.
Education and training continues to play an important role in empowering all built heritage stakeholders; Modern materials such as cement based mortars, gypsum plaster, plasterboards, PIR insulation and modern paints should be avoided at all cost in conservation repair and alteration works.
We aim help you to understand how your old house works, look at what’s wrong and suggest ways to increase breathability and eradicate damp utilising traditional breathable materials and supporting craft skills training where possible.
There is also the myriad of planning pitfalls, protected species to deal with not to mention gaining the relevant listed building consents before carrying out work. Unauthorised works are often carried out on listed buildings and the responsibility for these works remains with the new owner of the building if sold.
We work with homeowners, architects, surveyors, builders and other specialist consultants to advise and assess on conservation repairs and specify repair works with appropriate lime mortars that will secure the property for future generations.
We have a broad range of associates we work with from master craftsmen highly skilled in traditional lime work and historic timber framing to specialists in dendrochronology, structural engineers and conservation architects. This enables us directly or indirectly to offer you a wide range of services that may be needed to start work on your historic home.
Furthermore, if you are considering buying a listed building we can undertake a pre-purchase inspections to investigate inappropriate materials and works that may have been undertaken in the past, identify possible unauthorised works and suggest solutions before you complete a purchase enabling you to negotiate a realistic purchase price. We can also investigate heritage significance and advise on alterations that may be feasible.
historic building & heritage planning consultants 