assert pressure on the local council to make efforts to save the Old House so that the building can continue to be an “asset” to future generations of community users, or whether he believes such buildings are better out of council hands and passed on to community groups or developers.
Elaine Byrne
In late 2010 we reported on the successful outcome of a public inquiry following an appeal by the company known as the Rochford and South East Building Preservation Trust (the BPT) against a listed building enforcement notice issued by Maldon District Council, the chief requirements of the which were that two first-floor, late Georgian sash windows, removed from the building for repair, be returned; and that all areas of the exposed timber frame including the front and side elevations be re-rendered with lime putty-based render on timber laths. The previous render had been removed to
144 and 144A High Street Maldon Essex UPDATE
allow for the timber frame of 144 and 144A High Street to be repaired. The SPAB argued at the inquiry that the return of an appropriate lime-based render was essential to conserve the fabric and character of the grade II listed building. The inquiry decision – issued following the
Planning Inspector’s recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government – dismissed the appeal and upheld the enforcement notice. The decision stipulated that all work be completed by June 2011. At the discretion of Maldon District Council the BPT was given an extension of one month to carry out the requirements of the enforcement notice. The SPAB is now pleased to report that the
sash windows have been returned and the timber-framed building has been given an appropriate, protective external lime render. While this is a significant victory for
Maldon District Council and the SPAB, the future of the building is not yet fully secure. The BPT continues its appeal to remove the underbuilding to the jetty at the front of the crosswing of the building, thus re-instating the medieval jetty form. Another appeal has now been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate with the aim of exposing the timber frame of the first-floor front elevation of the crosswing and the entire side elevation – including the insertion of a Tudor-style window to the first floor of the crosswing. As with the other appeals brought by the
BPT, the SPAB will be supporting the council in its efforts to uphold its decision to prevent what we believe an ill-considered restoration of the building and to secure the appropriate
20 Cornerstone, Vol 32, No 3 2011
protection of the building fabric. The proposals set out in the most recent appeal would lead to a confused and somewhat speculative appearance across the principal façade of the building and would have a detrimental impact of the building’s character and significance. Furthermore, the most recent appeal is a
direct challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision to uphold the enforcement notice. It has already been established at appeal that to leave the building unrendered could lead to rot and damp to the timber frame. The building has now been re-rendered in an appropriate lime render to prevent water ingress and decay. The SPAB will continue to fight to protect the building and ensure that it retains its protective layer.
EB
We reported in the previous edition of Cornerstone that the Society has been involved in discussions about an extension to Saltford Manor, which is generally considered to be England’s oldest building with a history of continuous domestic
use.Although we support a continuation of the gentle change and development that has been part of the building’s story throughout its life, we have not felt that proposals prepared so far have offered a scheme of the kind that the building’s specialness demands. A revised version of the original application has now been withdrawn and we hope that
The Manor Saltford Somerset UPDATE
Above, 144 and 144A High Street Maldon as the building appears now. Left, its appearance before work commenced. The SPAB has argued long and hard for the return of a lime-based render to the building, which it believes is in the best interests of the structure. Further, the Society pressed the case for the return of late Georgian sash windows, removed during recent works. Following a public inquiry, the windows have been returned, and a lime render applied to the building
ADAM BATTERBEE
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