We moved full-time into a caravan & store everything in tents after buying empty pie factory… we’re close to giving up
A COUPLE has moved full-time into a caravan and have stored everything in tents after buying an empty pie factory.
Sam and Jimmy risked it all and sold their homes and car to fund the mind-blowing transformation.
Their DIY journey appeared on George Clarke‘s Remarkable Renovations on Channel 4.
The couple splashed £160,000 in a former Holland‘s Pies factory in Haslingden in 2020.
At one point we never thought we’d get here, there were times when we just wanted to pack in the towel and give up, it’s absolutely pushed me to the limit, but then you push through into another day
Sam
They embarked on what architect George dubbed a “hell of a project” to turn the 5,000 square foot building into a family home.
Sam said: “For the challenge, the individuality, to actually put your own stamp on something and make it your own really.”
The couple’s budget of £250,000 was stretched thin from the get-go and they faced challenges due to the immense size of the Victorian building.
During the works, the family had to live in a caravan and storing their belongings in tents within the factory.
They also had to rely on friends and family for basic amenities like showers and toilets.
At one point, the project was left hanging by a thread when they run out of cash, no build, and no bricks and mortar home.
Sam said: “It’s really depleting to the point where you think ‘do you know what, we’re just going to sell it’, because there’s nothing else we can do.”
Just as they were about to resell the property, the received £110,000 bridging loan and two weeks later the concrete floor on the ground floor was laid.
But the loan and a whopping £30,000 of the couple’s savings was spent within 12 weeks.
Sam confessed she had moments of doubt where she “literally wanted to pack in the towel”.
She said: “At one point we never thought we’d get here, there were times when we just wanted to pack in the towel and give up, it’s absolutely pushed me to the limit, but then you push through into another day.”
A ‘PROUD’ MOMENT
The property was once owned by entrepreneur Walter Holland who expanded his pie brand in the 1900s.
The old vintage building became a canvas for Sam and Jimmy’s creations.
The process caught the eye of Furniture Components UK LTD director Ben Johnson, who helped bring their upstairs vision to life.
Ben said: “This was the biggest single room project I have taken on but I love the outcome. I feel what we ended up with worked perfectly.
“Slightly daunting and under pressure to pull it off, but so glad for the opportunity. To see it on TV was special and a proud moment.
“Stage two is on to the master bedrooms and walk in, so looking forward to getting together again.”
He collaborated with the ambitious duo to design and furnish the space.
The newly refurbished home boasts an open-plan kitchen, dining area and a living room offering an urban charm.
The property also has a stylish rooftop garden.
Despite the hurdles, George revisited them 18 months later to witness a stunning transformation on the top floor.
He said: “Rarely have I met a couple who have put themselves through so much turmoil to create their family home.
“I was genuinely worried about you, I was worried about whether you were going to do it or not.”
It comes as a couple shared their home renovation journey, after they bought an old unkempt bungalow and transformed it into their dream home.
The pair have shared insights into their home transformation on their TikTok channel @ournewbuildproject.
How to appeal and win if your home extension is rejected
EXTENSIONS are a great way to improve your home and save money - as building out is often cheaper than moving.
But any building works can quickly create problems with your neighbours if you don’t stick to the rules.
Andrew Cann, director of Planning Direct, a planning consultancy based in the East of England, said there are ways to appeal if your initial application for an extension is rejected.
Here’s what you need to know:
How do you actually appeal?
In order to appeal, you’ll need to prepare a Statement of Case.
This is a document setting out why you believe the extension should be granted in planning policy terms – an expert can help you with this, but they will charge.
This is sent along with an appeal form to the Planning Inspectorate.
This is a government body independent of your local council, which will check whether the planning authority which refused you was correct to do so.
There is normally no fee to submit a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
The main cost is the fee you’ll need to give a consultant or solicitor to prepare and manage it on your behalf – the amount will depend on the case.
How do I win my appeal?
The truth is, there is no guarantee to winning your appeal – and you should be wary of any solicitor or consultant that promises you a victory.
“Any one consultant who says an appeal will definitely be won should be avoided” said Andrew.
That said, there are some tips that can help you on your way to a win.
“Take a look around – if other nearby homeowners have made similar changes, the chances are you will win,” said Andrew.
Another thing to look out for is that your application may have been refused on a technicality or just because of a missing detail.
“Sometimes it is worth re-applying with a modified version if the council only wants small changes. A re-application is free within a year of the first refusal,” said Andrew.
But if an appeal is mishandled and refused this can “blight” the property and you will not get permission in future.
There are some challenges when you are looking to appeal.
You must establish that the extension complies with local planning policy and importantly does not harm others.