BaR News Round up June 2023

Action

Overstone Hall, Billing Lane, Overstone, Northamptonshire NN6 0AD

We have written to object to the proposals to demolish Overstone Hall, a grade II listed Italianate mansion set within a walled 40-acre park on the outskirts of Northampton.  The Hall has been on the Buildings At Risk Register since 2012.  It was designed by WM Teulon, brother of the better-known SS Teulon, in 1866 for the first Lord Overstone and featured examples of cutting-edge technology including a central heating system, gas lighting and the earliest-known cavity wall insulation.

After years of disuse and catastrophic fire damage, there were hopes a few years ago when it was acquired by a developer wanting to restore it to residential use as apartments with enabling development in the grounds.  Although the developer was granted permission for conversion, the enabling development was not approved.  After a search for more land on which to site further enabling development failed, the developer asserts that the only solution is to demolish.   This is opposed by locals and many other organisations including the Victorian Society and Historic Buildings and Places.

The George and Dragon, 61 Rainow Road, Higher Hurdsfield, Cheshire SK10 2PD

This month we have also written to register SAVE's support of East Cheshire Council's refusal to approve the demolition of The George and Dragon pub in Higher Hurdsfield in a planning apppeal by the developer.  The pub dates back to the mid 17th century, with additions made to it in the 18th century and it later became an inn.  It is unlisted but is clearly a building of character and stands prominently in a conservation area in the centre of the village.

The proposals which the council rejected involved the demolition of the pub and replacement by modern housing.  Objections to these proposals came from many locals as well as Historic England, the Georgian Group and the Council for British Archaeology, both calling for recognition of the building's important history and the need to prioritise reuse.  

Updates

Primitive Methodist Chapel, Queen Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4DZ - May's Building of the Month

We were delighted that last month's Building of the Month not only caught the eye of a local businessman wanting to restore it to a useful role in Gillingham, but also that a sale of the building was in fact already about to go through.  The attractive, functional but unlisted Victorian chapel had stood empty for many years and had had planning permission for conversion to residential use. The new owner is thought to want to use the previous planning permission to convert the chapel into flats.   We will continue to follow the story.

Bunksland Farm, East Anstey, Devon EX36 3PF - FOR SALE

Deceptively modest from the outside, Bunksland or Bungsland farmhouse and its tumbledown outbuildings conceal an exceptionally unspoilt grade II* listed medieval farmstead, remotely sited on the edge of Exmoor.

Constructed in the early 15th century as a four-bay open hall house of rubble and traditional Devon cob, it was altered at the end of the 16th or early 17th century and has changed little since, making it a ‘remarkably interesting example of multiphase development.’ Experts in vernacular architecture were particularly impressed to discover that the two-bay hall has an impressive wind-braced jointed cruck roof, while the closed truss at the upper end of the hall demonstrates crown-post type construction and is of a type rarely found in the West Country, but which may once have been more common – an important survival.

The building has had co-ordinated help from North Devon Council and Historic England with some Urgent Works carried out.  It was reported that a new owner had taken over in 2021  but the farm is again on the market  Click here to see the particulars.

Grand Casino, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0QG

Originally built in 1923 by Richard Woodhead as a car showroom, in 1938 this building was converted by George E. Tonge into a luxury cinema and then a casino. After spending many years on our register, derelict and vacant, we were pleased to hear that the building has now been restored and now operates as a bar, wedding venue and restaurant.

Platform Two Building, Earlestown Station, Earleston, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 9AU

Great news, this lovely grade II listed station in Tudor Gothic style has been disused for decades, is now due to receive much needed new use and attention as part of the regeneration of the town centre. This is due to Earlestown recently securing a £20m fund from the Government’s Levelling Up fund, boosting the town centre’s developments. The station building will be brought back into use as a café and waiting room, as well as a heritage room similar to other stations.

89 Ber Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3EY

Works began on the grade II listed building's frontage to remove the failing render in February 2023. Underneath, coursed rubble, flint and brickwork has been revealed for the first time in many years. According to the planning application (20/01106/L), the windows are also set to be replaced with like for like replicas by a local joinery firm.  As of June 2023, we were please to hear that works were completed.  The building is no longer at risk and will be removed from our register.

New Entry
The Manor, North Huish, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9NQ 

We recently added this lovely, unlisted house to the Buildings at Risk register after it was brought to our attention by SPAB.  Built in the 18th century, this Georgian beauty incorporates an inglenook fire place from an earlier building on the site.  Untouched for many years, it retains many original features but is now in a dangerous condition and requires urgent attention to bring it back into use.  The house has just sold at auction and it is hoped that this will lead to a sensitive scheme for conservation and reuse.