Plastering & Rendering in Boscastle

Boscastle is a small harbour village in a dramatic valley on the north Cornwall coast, about 15 miles from Bude. The village is closely associated with its 2004 flash flood, after which many of the valley properties were rebuilt or substantially restored. That history has left the village with a mixture of carefully restored historic buildings and post-flood rebuilds, some of which introduced materials that weren't sympathetic to the original construction.

The original buildings in Boscastle are typical of north Cornish coastal vernacular — rubble slate and stone construction, built with traditional mortar and breathable render. The village sits in a steep-sided valley that channels both the prevailing Atlantic weather and, as 2004 demonstrated, exceptional rainfall events. Breathable render is critical here: any system that traps moisture in the walls is going to accelerate the deterioration that the climate is already working on.

The post-flood rebuilds present a mixed picture. Some properties were restored sympathetically, using appropriate breathable systems. Others had cement-based systems applied as part of the insurance rebuild process. Where cement render was applied to solid-wall construction during the rebuild, we've been called in subsequently to address the damp problems that resulted — stripping back the cement and replacing with a proper breathable system.

The harbour area and the valley properties are designated as conservation areas with significant heritage protection. Breathable render is not just appropriate — it is typically required for planning consent on any work to the existing buildings. We have experience with render specification for this type of designation and can advise on what the planning authority will accept.

Boscastle is one of the closer extended coverage locations — 15 miles from Bude along the coast road. We work here regularly alongside other north Cornwall coastal jobs.