Quality of Place

A District Council Quality of Place award for building conservation

A grade 11* listed country house, had suffered neglect and poor quality alterations within the last decade which had left the building in a poor state of repair. Furthermore, unauthorised alterations had been carried out by a previous owner and this had lead to the serving of nine enforcement notices by the local authority, all still in force when the current owners bought the house and, over a period of two and a half years, set about its restoration with the assistance of Nicholas Jacob Architects.

The work involved unpicking modern intrusive repairs, modifying some of the more incongruous alterations, rectification works to comply with the enforcement notices and restoration of detailing appropriate to this 17th and 18th century house. The result has been to enhance and reveal the building’s character whilst research and recording has lead to a far greater understanding of the historical development of the building and landscape setting. The current owners continue to share this knowledge allowing others to appreciate and enjoy the history of the house which in turn draws out more knowledge from previous owners and family connections. The propery now benefits from custodians who understand its significance and, more importantly who enjoy it and intend to maintain it.