An architect has described the nerve-wracking moment his 400-year-old house was moved by crane to its new foundations.

The complex operation involved moving the historic timber-framed Black House away from the edge of the Lower Rainham Road with a 100-ton crane, to a new location six metres away.

The house had been restored and reinforced in preparation for the move, but architect David Paine - who can be seen wearing a white hard hat in the YouTube video below, said there were some hair-raising moments.

Video: Watch as the house is moved

"I was heavily concerned about the rain and so spent the bulk of Wednesday asking the crane operators if it would be ok," he said. "The rain this week was biblical and I was worried the crane might sink, because we have to take responsibility for the ground conditions."

But despite ground conditions and few complications with the new foundations - which were just 35mm out - moving the 13 ton house and platform yesterday was relatively problem-free.

Mr Paine added: "There was a point at the end when someone started clapping and whooping - when the building was finally resting on the block-work.

"I was massively relieved. Everything from this point on should be plain sailing compared to what we've been through for the last ten months. This was the pinnacle of that work."

But he added: "I'm still driving past now making sure it hasn't collapsed - but in reality there's little chance of that.

"It's got to settle on the new block work - it's been sat on the earth for the hundreds of years. It will take weeks, months and years for it to settle."

The cottage dates from the 16th century and is the only building to survive from a hamlet of six or seven properties recorded on a map of 1769 as West Rainham.

Its rare timber chimney is considered of great historical importance, as very few have survived – but the building fell into disrepair in the latter half of the 20th century and its closeness to the busy road, widened in the 1990s, led to further deterioration.

The latest project will see ownership transferred to architect David Paine, who is funding and carrying out the works to relocate and restore the building, and should ensure the Black House’s survival for generations to come.

Mr Paine has sunk his and his wife Jennifer’s savings into the project and the new-look Black House will include a large extension and thatched roof.

Restoration is likely to run into 2016, and he and his wife hope to move in in the spring.

Mr Paine gave special thanks to Coussens Crane Hire from Bexhill; Langdon H and Son steel company from Chatham - who provided the steel platform - and RPM Carpentry who undertook the timber repairs/preliminary works and were on hand during the relocation.

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