Thatched Roof Replacement – Long Buckby, Northamptonshire

Bowman Riley was appointed as the conservation architect for the re-thatching of the Grade II-listed 17th-century Co-op Store in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire.

Located on the village High Street, the building forms part of a distinctive group of historic properties dating back to the 17th-18th centuries, built in the local vernacular style using traditional coursed ironstone walls under an iconic reed thatch roof. Our assessment found that the thatched roof had reached the end of its serviceable life, with evidence of water ingress, insect attack, localised timber decay and damp.

Our conservation team developed a sensitive repair strategy focused on minimum intervention, like-for-like repair and retaining historic fabric where possible. Proposals included replacing the existing thatched roof with new water reed thatch to match the adjacent roofs. The new thatch was installed using traditional detailing, including hazel spars and a matching straw block ridge, with the roof carefully dressed to provide an appropriate finish. A fire-resistant membrane and new timber battens were installed to improve the roof’s performance while maintaining its historic character.

We prepared the proposed drawings, Heritage Statement and Heritage Impact Assessment to support the Listed Building Consent process. We determined that full replacement of the historic thatch would result in a minor adverse impact, but this was balanced by the significant long-term heritage benefit of reinstating a serviceable traditional thatched roof.

We provided a clear, evidence-based strategy to protect the building’s heritage significance and preserve its distinctive contribution to Long Buckby’s historic character.

See other heritage schemes here.