Mr. Eoin Darby:

Having a background in conservation and from working on projects of similar ages and similar refurbishments, the joined-up thinking is just not there. The policies of the various Departments and county councils on conservation have no thought around the actual use of the building by the homeowners. One can go down a rabbit hole of having the absolutely best practice for conserving old slide and sash windows, lime render works and thatched roofs, but what is the point in it all if people cannot actually live there? This is to be my family home for the next 35 years for my family. What is the point if we cannot actually use the building or if we are completely crucified with insurance, so we cannot actually live in it?