BaR News Round up August 2023

We have had a number of positive stories emerge from our updates of the register in Yorkshire including plans to reuse the Ship House in Saltburn by the Sea and the near completion of the restoration project at Haltemprice Priory Farm. Following the success of our recent Building’s at Risk Launch last month, we continue to receive nominations and to add buildings to the register including the impressive Otterden Place. Read more below to find out about its fascinating history. 

New entry August 2023: Otterden Place, Bunce Court Road, Ottderden, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0BU

Otterden Place, located in the village of Otterden near the market town of Faversham, is a grade II* listed (LEN: 1115729) manor house. According to the listing entry, it was originally constructed in the mid-16th century as a courtyard house by Sir Anthony Aucher. The house underwent a series of alterations throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1788 the building was truncated, altering its courtyard shape. Between 1801 – 1803, the house was partly rebuilt and remodelled by William Pilkington in the Tudoresque style for Granville Hastings Wheler (son of the previous owner of the same name). Two new two-storey front elevations were constructed featuring symmetrical window bays. The house has largely stayed the same since the alterations made in the 19th century and continues to be an impressive and handsome house surrounded by countryside.

In 1717 Otterden Place was purchased by the clergyman Granville Wheler. Wheler was a member of the Royal Society and took a keen interest in science. Together with fellow Royal Society member, Stephen Gray, he shared a fascination in the properties of electricity. Both Wheler and Gray were particularly interested in “Electric Vertue” (electric current) and how far it could travel. Wheler invited Gray to conduct experiments within the house and gardens of Otterden Place and such experiments have been noted as providing the technical theory behind the telegraph and telephone.

The house stayed within the Wheler family until 2004 when it was transferred to a charitable trust, The Wheler Foundation. The house currently appears to be unused and empty and is therefore at risk from gradual decay and disuse.   

News from our update of North Yorkshire: Ship House and The Ship Inn, Old Saltburn, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland, TS12 1HA

After standing empty for nearly 15 years, we understand that the Ship House is going to be reused as part of a scheme that will see the reuse of the former pub, The Ship Inn. Both the Inn and the house are survivals of the old village and are situated in a peaceful spot near the sandy beach. The collection of buildings recall the modest origins of this popular tourist destination. In use as a tourist information centre until 2009, the Ship House has since been empty with no plans for its reuse. However, in June 2023, planning permission was granted to turn the Inn and former house into a fish and chip shop and outdoor bar. We will keep an eye on any developments, but it is hoped that the house, which has for so long stood empty, will once again be in use.     

Good news from East Yorkshire: Haltemprice Priory Farm, Abbey Lane, Willerby, East Yorkshire, HU10 6BE

This grade II* farmhouse is thought to incorporate some remains of the Augustinian Priory which stood on the same site in the 14th century and has suffered major degradation over the years at the hands of vandals. It has been on our register since 1998 and, after changing hands a number of times in the intervening years and surviving arson attacks and even the dismantling of a 30 foot chimney, it was acquired at auction in 2019. The new owners obtained permission to restore what was left of the building and bring it back into use. It is wonderful to see that this historic building has been rebuilt and brought back into use as a house. 

One to keep an eye on… Middlesbrough Old Town Hall, Market Place, St Hilda’s, Middlesbrough, TS2 1RB

Middlesbrough Council have recently submitted a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to continue restoration work to the Old Town Hall. The council allocated some of its Towns Fund towards the regeneration of the hall, however, it requires further funding in order to bring it back to use. In September 2022 a structural survey was undertaken which found that the main building and clock tower were structurally sound. The council will know if they have been successful by September 2023.   

Seeking a Saviour: The Old Vicarage, Weech Road, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9BW

The historic beauty and charm of this former late 17th, early 18th century Vicarage and associated buildings (grade II listed) is fast deteriorating. Most of the site is now held in escheat after the former owner went into bankruptcy. This means that the title to this part of the site is held by the Crown Estates which can sell but not actively market the building. The terrible condition of the building, especially the west wing which is constructed in cob on a limestone base looks set to worsen quickly unless a solution can be found soon. Teignbridge Council, Historic England and SPAB have all been involved in trying to find solutions. Interested buyers can make contact with the Crown Estates office but should consider consulting the local authority in the first instance to understand the history of the site in more detail.

FOR SALE

Oak Tree Farm, Kenton, Suffolk IP14 6JZ

We have just been notified that this grade II listed farmhouse which has been on Mid-Suffolk’s buildings at risk list for some time, has been put on the market.  It has permission for restoration and conversion of its derelict wing and is on the market with Clarke & Simpson. Further details can be found here.