FILE No. 0 \ Proposed Barn Conversion into Two Units of Accommodation at Putham Farm, Cutcombe, Wheddon Cross. For Mr. Giles Hurst

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1 Proposed Barn Conversion into Two Units of Accommodation at Putham Farm, Cutcombe, Wheddon Cross For Mr. Giles Hurst FILE No. 0 \ Client: Mr Giles Hurst, Putham Farm, Cutcombe, Weddon Cross, Minehead, Somerset. TA24 7AS Brian Jones (Structural Engineers) Ltd., Brunswick House, Woolavington Hill, Woolavington Somerset TA7 8DH (Tel ) March 2009 L4260

2 CONTENTS Pape No. Introduction and instructions Description of the Buildings and their Surroundings Geology 4.0 Results of Investigations fi(t +bmhhns-an~mend~~~~ Appendix A - Photographs

3 Introduction and Instructions Brian Jones (Structural Engineers) Ltd., were instructed by Mr John Savage to carry out a structural survey of the barns at Putham Farm in order to provide recommendations of the structural requirements to convert them into two units of living accommodation. This Report is the result of a topographical and visual inspection of the defects to the barns, together with an assessment of the stability of the roofs, floors and wall structures. Parts of the structures which were otherwise covered, unexposed or inaccessible have not been inspected and we are, therefore unable to report that any such part is free from defect.

4 2.0 Description of existing barns (Also see photographs in Appendix A) 2.1 North Barn The North Barn is detached and single storey The walls are of solid stone, with a small area of blockwork present. There are several external door openings and a window opening The roof consists of corrugated sheeting on purlins supported by trusses Internally the barn has a sloping cobbled floor and there is an internal stone dividing wall. 2.2 South Barn The South Barn is detached and single storey The walls consist of a mixture of solid stone, corrugated sheeting and circular stone pillars The roof consists of single pitched corrugated sheeting on purlins on rafters onto timber beams supported by timber posts and the stone pillars Internally the barn has a relatively flat earth floor. 2.3 The ground slopes from north-west to south-east and there is exposed rock visible in places. 2.4 There is a large tree directly to the north of the barns. 2.5 The barns are thought to be approximately 1 50 years old.

5 3.0 Geology Information obtained from maps published by the Institute of Geological Sciences indicates that the barns are sited in an area of Avill Group and Cutcombe Slate from the Devonian period of geological history.

6 4.0 Results of Investigations Although as a point of procedure all defects were noted, only the main ones are described in detail below. North Barn The external elevations are all suffering from mortar loss and washed out mortar joints. The north elevation is in a fair condition and plumb The east elevation is plumb and has been repointed at some stage. The top 600mrn of stonework is loose and unstable. The southern end has been rebuilt with blockwork. 4.&LThem&m&me inapm concfitloniaeaning3iut excessively The west elevation is in two halves, the south half is plumb and in a fair condition, and the north half is also in a fair condition but has a slight outward lean The roof structure is not original and is in a poor condition. The trusses are very shallow and members are broken and supported by props in places The foundations were not inspected, but it would be safe to assume that the walls are built directly onto the rock. South Barn The north elevation consists of six circular stone columns. Some columns are partially rendered, there are areas of loose mortar and missing stonework. The fourth column has moved inwards by approximately 1 OOrnrn, (possibly impact damage) T.212TheSouiiXeVatibn consists of a central stone wall, with corrugated sheeting either side. The wall is in a fair condition, with loose mortar and a lot of vegetation growing on it The remaindering walls consist of corrugated sheeting and are in a poor condition The roof structure is not original and in a poor condition The foundations were not inspected, but it would be safe to assume that the walls are built directly onto the rock.

7 Conclusions and Recommendations From the results of our investigations it is our considered opinion that the barns at Putharn Farm, Cutcombe can be satisfactorily structurally converted into two units of living accommodation. It is our opinion that the mortar loss and condition of the walls are due to general weathering. The leaning west wall to the north barn could be the result of roof spread. There are very little signs of any foundation movementjdiagona1 cracking to the walls of the barns, with any noted cracks at the eaves level due to roof spread. We are of the opinion that the existing stone walls can be retained, with the exception of the south wall to the north barn. We recommend that the existing roofs should be dismantled and removed. The south wall to the north barn and the blockwork wall should be taken down and the stonework retained. The existing walls should have all vegetation removed then they should be deep repointed using 1 : 1 :6 cement : lime : sand mortar to match existing and this will also entail some localised rebuilding and replacement / re-bedding of individual stones and replacement with stonework of the areas of blockwork present. The demolished wall should be rebuilt using the original stonework for facing. The pier suffering from impact damage should be rebuilt using the original materials. We recommend that new reinforced ground floor slabs are installed, toed down at the edges to support the new timber framed load bearing structure. If the new floor level is to be lower than the existing, it may be necessary to underpin the existing walls (subject to further site investigations) The new timber frame and roof structure should be erected, the original walls retained as cladding.

8 Appendix A Photographs

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