A PIER INTO THE PAST

Neil Maxwell

My work gives me the opportunity to see some beautiful and historic houses in the city. Recently we were invited to appraise the Old Customs Watch House located on the Point in Old Portsmouth. For those of you searching your memories for the location, its next to door to the Still and West pub and has the little pier with the hut at the end that just peeps out into the harbour. Used by her Majesties Customs officers until the early 1970s the property dates back to the mid 17th Century and used to feature a slipway, from which the Custom’s launch entered the Harbour and then out to the Solent. The slipway was replaced in the 1900s by the concrete pier with a set of davits for launching the Custom Cutters and a unique watch hut so the officers could see around the edge of the Quebec Hotel and the Pickfords Removal’s warehouse that used to adjoin the property. One point of interest, I discovered that the Quayside, next to the Old Customs House, on which the nearby Quebec House now sits, was once used for ferries to France and also for Pickfords to move furniture to and from the Isle of Wight. The Old Customs House boasts many period features, one being the letterbox, which is set at the top of the door, moved from lower in the door as the Customs officers were so upset with locals using it as a urinal! The house is currently arranged as a four bedroom property with a fifth bedroom/study but its versatility is obvious. On the Ground floor the magnificent, former boat house complete with flagstone floor has the typically large boathouse doors that can be folded all the way back to enjoy the view. And from the ceiling, there still hangs the storage rack for the oars that were used to propel the customs cutters. Whilst researching the history of the property we stumbled across a fascinating and somewhat surprising tale from June 1809. Apparently, a cargo of gunpowder barrels along with luggage and other goods had been placed on an area of beach that could once be found outside the Still and West. Two local washerwomen were enjoying a smoke from their clay pipes. When one of the women tapped her pipe to clear it, sparks were emitted which then ignited the gunpowder. There followed a large explosion, destroying property and showering the harbour and nearby roofs with the women’s washing. Amazingly the washerwoman were saved by their washing tub that blew on top of them, shielding them from the blast. If you’d like to make a less eventful visit to see the property, we’re looking forward to showing financially verified parties around the house in the near future.

WEST STREET, OLD PORTSMOUTH - £4,950,000

• One of only two detached waterside residences overlooking the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, with unobscured panoramic views over the

Solent and Isle of Wight • This Landmark property spans in excess of 4,200 sq.ft (392.5 sq.m) over three floors comprising 4 substantial bedrooms, all with ensuites plus parking for multiple cars • Three fabulous outside terraces including a stunning 34ft x 24ft roof top terrace with 360degree views, a natural gas fire pit and roof top swim spa • EPC Rating B

BRANDON ROAD, SOUTHSEA – OIEO £925,000

• Elegant 5 bedroom Victorian semi-detached residence situated in this much requested central

Southsea location within one of the select conservation areas • The grounds boast a wealth of mature shrubs creating a private oasis in the heart of Southsea with ample off-road parking and an outbuilding • Over 2,400 sq.ft (224.8 sq.m) spanning three floors, this family home has heaps of character to offer to any prospective buyer • EPC Rating TBC

SOUTH PARADE, SOUTHSEA - £650,000

• Southerly Facing 2nd Floor apartment with superb sea views, situated within a short walk to South Parade Pier and Canoe Lake • Three double bedrooms, one with ensuite spa bath and family bathroom • Single garage with a residence car parking area to the front of this eye catching 1930s purpose built building • EPC Rating D

NEW GREEN RULING COULD HELP TO EASE COST OF LIVING CRISIS FOR RENTAL SECTOR

With so much focus on rising heating bills in recent months, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for people living in rented accommodation.

By 2025 all new tenancies must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least Band C from 31st December 2025] and for existing tenancies this will apply from 31st December 2028, according to Buy Association. The Property Management team at Chinneck Shaw is supporting landlords as they prepare their properties to meet the new legislation. While the changes are designed to be kinder to the planet, tenants will inevitably benefit from lower fuel bills as a result of living in more energy-efficient homes. According to research conducted by Landbay, portfolio landlords — those with 10 properties or more — are taking the rule changes most seriously and are planning on using EPC ratings as an investment tool and a way to increase the value and desirability of their properties. More than half (53%) said they would consider investing in a property rated D or lower and then bring it up to at least a C rating with renovations. We appreciate this is a cost to the landlord, but the benefits are likely to help to retain tenants in properties with better energy ratings, resulting in fewer voids and vacant properties letting more quickly. We see the move to greater energy efficiency in rented homes as a positive

move not only for the sector, but also for the planet. Being mindful of environmental matters is a key concern for Chinneck Shaw. We are working with Carbon Footprint Ltd to analyse our carbon footprint, with the aim of offsetting and reducing the impact the business has on the environment.

We used their business calculator to calculate our business carbon footprint and so far we have invested in: • Tree planting in South East UK • Tree planting in the Great Rift

Valley, Kenya. • Global Portfolio of verified Carbon

Reduction Projects • Gold standard Community Based Verified

Carbon reduction Projects • Americas Portfolio of Verified Carbon

Reduction Projects And the great news is, we purchased 5x more than our actual calculated CO2 emissions. This means that Chinneck Shaw Limited is a Carbon Neutral PLUS organisation. (the PLUS comes from offsetting more than your footprint).

OUR GREEN PLEDGE

We promise to plant a tree for every house we sell. Chinneck Shaw has registered with a scheme that allows businesses to plant a tree on behalf of their customers. The customer can choose from the projects available and they will receive an email with a certificate to confirm that we have planted a tree. Together we can make a difference to climate change. As a business we want to work in the most sustainable way we can and do a little bit more – we are making a commitment to be Net Zero by 2050 by getting involved with the government’s UK Business Climate Hub and we hope other Pompey businesses will follow suit...

You trust them with your grandchildren. Now trust them to look after you. A Lasting Power of Attorney gives them your voice when you can no longer speak for yourself.

Annabelle C Jones is a freelance solicitor, authorised and regulated by the SRA and a member of The Law Society

Email: Annabelle@acjlaw.co.uk Phone: 07591 527713 Website: www.acjlaw.co.uk Solicitor & LPA Specialist

Making sure your voice is heard even when you cannot speak for yourself due to ill health or injury is so important. Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney can let your children, or others YOU choose, speak on your behalf. Decisions about your property, finances, health and welfare or even your business can all be controlled the way YOU want through an LPA. Do not leave it for the Courts to decide. Get in contact today, as you never know what tomorrow will bring.

5, Clarendon Road, Southsea