Building an oak frame house was never in doubt for Graham and Diane Roberts, who were downsizing from a large house in the USA and relocating to retire in Wales where they’re both originally from. “Oak frame was on the cards from the beginning for the simple reason we’d been living in America for the last thirty years and had got used to timber frame houses,” says Graham. “We like that they’re quick to put up and extremely energy efficient. However, visually, they can look a bit ordinary. The character and visual impact of oak appealed to us, as well as the way it fits into rural settings.”
The couple’s project began when one of their twin daughters, Lucie, who’d already relocated to Wales with her husband and children, decided to take on a renovation. The extended family wanted to join forces. Their goal was to find a property project for Lucie and her husband, with land for Graham and Diane to build their own home. “We were still living in the USA when I spotted a grade II listed pub online with incredible views of the Black Mountains and Wye Valley,” Graham explains. “There was potential for Lucie to convert the pub into a charming house while the car park at the back looked big enough for us to build our home. The project meant we’d be able to live as a family but have our own space, and we bought the property in late 2015.”
Planning hurdles