Church Hill 10 & 15

Church Hill 10 & 15: Breathing new life into 18th-century heritage homes

When the National Trust entrusted The Martin Sewell Building Company with the renovation of two historic properties on Church Hill in Slindon, it marked another significant chapter in MSBC’s decades-long relationship with heritage conservation in this picturesque West Sussex village.

The challenge was clear: these 18th-century homes needed careful restoration that would preserve their historic character whilst enhancing their long-term performance and sustainability for future occupants. Both properties required a delicate balance between traditional restoration methods and modern improvements to ensure they remained true to their heritage whilst meeting contemporary living standards.

At No. 10 Church Hill, the team embarked on a comprehensive internal refurbishment that would transform the property from top to bottom. The kitchen presented particular challenges, requiring the careful removal of modern materials that had been inappropriately installed over the years. In their place, MSBC reinstated traditional lime plaster finished with breathable paints, ensuring the home could naturally regulate moisture as it was originally designed to do.

Energy efficiency was paramount throughout the project, with new radiators installed alongside Warmcote insulating lime topped with a Limecote finish supplied by Best of Lime. These materials were specifically chosen for their compatibility with historic building fabric whilst providing the thermal performance needed for modern comfort.

Just a short walk away, No. 15 Church Hill presented its own unique set of challenges. Years of inappropriate modern interventions had led to damp issues that required expert remediation. The team systematically replaced these problematic materials with insulating lime plaster from Best of Lime, allowing the building’s walls to breathe naturally once again.

The reconfiguration of the kitchen and bathroom at No. 15 required careful planning to improve functionality whilst maintaining the home’s period charm. In the basement, sustainable wood fibre insulation was installed to dramatically improve energy performance without compromising the building’s historic integrity.

External works included essential chimney repairs and the installation of new flue liners, preparing the home for a brand-new log burner supplied and installed through collaboration with Bradley Stoves. These improvements ensured the property would be warm and comfortable whilst maintaining its traditional character.

Both renovations were successfully delivered within an ambitious 10-week programme, demonstrating MSBC’s ability to work efficiently on heritage projects without compromising on quality or attention to detail. The result was two carefully restored historic homes, market-ready for their next occupants and equipped to serve future generations whilst honouring their 18th-century origins.

Working alongside the National Trust on projects of this significance represents the continuation of a long-standing partnership built on mutual respect for architectural heritage and sustainable building practices. These Church Hill properties stand as testament to MSBC’s commitment to preserving the past whilst preparing historic buildings for the future.