buildings at risk

Welsh mansion under threat from crass developer

Matthew Beckett - The Country SeatLeave a comment

As if Wales hasn’t lost enough country houses already, another is currently under threat of demolition.

Plas Dulas, in Llanddulas, Conwy is currently in a poor state but restorable if swift action was taken.  Built in the 1840s, and visited by Evelyn Waugh, it is remarkable in that the whole estate is complete including gardens, gatehouse, walled garden, and stables.

A local couple, James and Caroline Burt, who have successfully restored another local house into a hotel, made an initial offer of £250k to the owner, who bought the house and estate for £190k in 2002.  According to Mrs Burt, the owner, Alex Davies, replied ‘If you’re not willing to talk around £1m then I’m just going to leave if for another eight years and let it fall down’.  A thoroughly crass and ignorant approach, I’m sure you’ll agree.  Mr Davies is determined to press ahead with his plan, which has been submitted to the council for approval, to demolish the house and destroy the estate with 29 houses.

He has claimed that it would cost £1.5m to restore the house but it’s highly unlikely that it would cost this and is more likely a randomly high figure plucked from the air to justify his vandalism.

The Victorian Society and the renowned local campaigner Mark Baker have both objected but unfortunately CADW is unable to get involved due to its unduly narrow focus as to what is worth saving.

So, hope appears to rest with the local council, national and local pressure, and a miracle conversion for Mr Davies from vandal to someone who appreciates his local heritage.

Full story:

‘Campaign to save Llanddulas landmark famous author visited‘ [North Wales Weekly News]

 ‘Couple go to Waugh over future of historic mansion‘ [WalesOnline]

Moat Brae House saved!

Matthew Beckett - The Country SeatLeave a comment

Though not strictly a ‘country’ house, it’s worth including a particularly good piece of news that Moat Brae House in Dumfries, which was threatened with illegal demolition by the housing association which owned it, has been saved following its sale to a preservation trust for £1.

The gardens at Moat Brae were an inspiration for ‘Neverland’ for JM Barrie who visited regularly when at school locally.  The house had become neglected but was easily restorable but the housing association had intended to demolish the house without following any of the annoying little things like the proper legal procedure.  If they had followed through with their plan, not only would Dumfries have lost a key piece of local architecture but those in the housing association may well have ended up with criminal convictions.

Work on the house and fund-raising for future restoration begins to secure the long-term future of this fine house.

Full story: ‘Peter Pan mansion secured for £1‘ [BBC]

Drug farm in rented country house

Matthew Beckett - The Country SeatLeave a comment

Showing that there are always new threats to country houses, the police recently raided a cannabis factory which had been created in Cheshire.

Field House in Hoole had been rented but no sooner had the tenants moved in than they blacked out the upper windows, installed a hosepipe-based irrigation system from the kitchen sink, and planted a huge cannabis plantation on the upper floors.  As has been seen with suburban houses which have been similarly converted, the owners will now face a massive bill to restore the damage from water saturation, ruined floors, destroyed ceilings, holes in walls to accomodate wires and pipes etc.

Full story: ‘Huge cannabis factory uncovered at £2.4m mansion rented by criminal gang‘ [Daily Mail]

2009 English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register

Matthew Beckett - The Country SeatLeave a comment

Another year, another sad list of important, interesting, beautiful and sadly at risk properties.  Each year the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register and that produced by SAVE Britain’s Heritage give another sad reminder that though the UK is rich in vernacular architectural heritage there are still significant individual buildings at risk even today, after 50 or 60 years of interest in heritage protection.  Perhaps of equal concern is the fact that only 60% of local councils have their own BaR Register and often it is out of date – local councils should be the first line of defence for their local heritage.  Ask your council for their Register and if they say they haven’t got one or that it’s out of date demand to know why.

If you have the resources but most importantly a sympathetic understanding of restoration then please do consider taking on one of these buildings.  Remember that listed buildings – when well looked after and sensitively restored – always command a premium in the housing market.

Below are David Brack of English Heritage’s top five tips when taking on a restoration project:

  1. You’ll need to discover why the property is in the state it is?
  2. Get a proper survey.
  3. Appoint a good architect.
  4. Employ a good builder.
  5. Maintain contact with your Conservation Officer throughout your renovation.

Full story: ‘The pitfalls of buying a romantic wreck‘