RICS Level 2 Survey Colesbourne

Colesbourne parish contains sixteen Grade II listed buildings, among them the 12th-century Church of St James, the 1827 Colesbourne Inn, and a number of 17th-century farmhouses. Buildings of this age bring particular issues, and our surveyors are trained to spot them. Local limestone is used throughout, which gives the village its striking look, but stone walls exposed to the Cotswold climate over centuries can suffer from weathering, mortar deterioration, and moisture penetration, so they need careful assessment. Our inspectors have looked at homes including Southbury Farmhouse and Slys Cottage, so we know the construction methods used in these historic buildings first-hand.

Colesbourne also sits within a designated Conservation Area, so some properties may face extra planning controls and repair obligations. Our surveyors understand these designations and can pick out issues that may affect both condition and future resale value or renovation potential. A period cottage near the village green, or a larger estate property, can each call for a close look. Alterations are often restricted in Conservation Areas, which makes a proper assessment of the current condition all the more useful when you are working out what can, and cannot, be changed.

In Colesbourne’s older housing stock, we commonly find structural movement in stone walls, tired roof coverings, outdated plumbing and electrical systems, poor insulation, and different forms of dampness. Our Level 2 Survey is set up to check for these problems and more, so you get a clear picture of the property before you complete your purchase. Many homes built before 1919 do not have the cavity wall insulation seen in modern properties, which can leave energy bills higher and should be built into your budget.

The River Churn runs through the village centre, and that matters for some properties. Major flooding is not common, but our surveyors still pay close attention to drainage patterns, wall conditions at lower levels, and any sign of previous water damage in homes closer to the river. Higher humidity or damp penetration can affect properties nearby, even where it is not obvious at first glance. Our methodical approach gives you a more accurate view of the property’s real condition.

• Structural cracks in walls and ceilings
• Roof deterioration and missing tiles
• Outdated electrical wiring
• Rising and penetrating damp
• Timber rot and woodworm
• Poor insulation

Colesbourne’s housing stock tells the story of the village’s development over several centuries. You will find everything from medieval farmhouses to Victorian estate buildings, with most properties built before 1919 using traditional methods. That matters when you are looking for defects, because older homes often lack the building regulations and materials that deliver today’s standards of durability and energy efficiency. The 2021 census recorded a population of 155, with approximately 55 households, so the stock is small but still made up mainly of older homes.

The main construction material in Colesbourne is the familiar golden limestone seen across the Cotswolds. It gives the area its attractive and unmistakable look, but it also needs a specific approach to maintenance. Mortar between the stone blocks can break down over time, which allows moisture to get in and lead to damp. Our surveyors know what to look for on stone-walled properties, from obvious damage to the subtler signs of a wider problem. The Threshing Barns at Southbury Farm are a good example of the traditional stone methods used across the area.

Many Colesbourne properties are built with solid walls rather than the cavity walls used in modern houses. That method has good thermal mass, but it does not insulate as well as current standards demand. Our reports point out insulation shortfalls and suggest solutions that respect the character of the building while lifting energy efficiency. With energy costs rising, this matters for both day-to-day running costs and future maintenance planning. A lot of period-property owners in the Cotswolds are now considering retrofit insulation, and we can talk through suitable options.

The Cotswolds are underpinned by Jurassic limestone geology, and that can influence ground conditions as well as foundation performance. Specific shrink-swell risk data for Colesbourne is limited, but our surveyors are used to spotting signs of subsidence or movement in older buildings. We look closely at cracking in walls, any evidence of previous movement, and foundation condition where we can access it. Extra scrutiny is given to properties with nearby trees or those built on clay-rich soil.

• Period properties requiring specialist knowledge
• Conservation Area restrictions
• Traditional stone construction
• Drainage near River Churn
• Historic building defects