Plans To Turn Grade I Listed Castle Into Hotel Criticised By Local Council

A controversial plan to convert an 18th Century castle on the Isle of Wight into a five-star luxury hotel has faced considerable opposition, with claims that the development would harm the potential chance of an extensive listed building restoration.

Norris Castle, a Grade I listed castle on the Isle of Wight, has been owned by the Norris Castle Estate Group (NCEG) since 2016, with the intention of renovating the castle, abandoned since the death of previous owner Major Digby Coventry in 2014 into a luxury hotel.

The planning applications would convert the castle into 120 homes and a 74 room hotel, the former to be offered to local residents first before being sold on the open market, and the total cost of the conversion has been estimated to total over £107m, over £16m in repairs alone.

Amongst the many proposals are plans to convert farmhouse buildings into a spa and wellness centre, building dozens of luxury suites on the grounds itself to avoid the risk of landslip, as well as building 120 homes on Springhill Estate to mitigate the cost of the entire project.

Nearly every aspect of the proposal has been criticised, with detailed objections provided by the local East Cowes Town Council, who unanimously voted in opposition to the scheme and published a 12-page objection outlining their reasons why.

Their primary objections include, but are far from limited to the harm it would cause to Grade I and II listed buildings and structures, concerns about traffic in the area, issues with over-development, and objects to claims by NCEG that the development is necessary given the state of the building.

Other comments strongly criticised the proposals as creating a “millionaires’ playground” that had been justified by the Group as being necessary to minimise the number of new properties to be constructed and the overall harm to the estate.

The Isle of Wight council, the Local Planning Authority for the castle, is expected to make a decision in May 2022.

Historic Chapel Restoration Project Awarded £36k

A restoration project on a historic chapel in Kent has been awarded a grant of £36,000. The former 15th-century chapel is no longer in use and had been converted into a house early in its history, but has long been unoccupied and now in urgent need of repair.

BBC News reports that St Andrews Chapel in Boxley, Kent, is on the Heritage at Risk Register and was bought by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) in 2018. The former chapel once formed part of Boxley Abbey, and have been unoccupied since 1970.

The Grade II-listed chapel, which has been constructed using Kentish ragstone, has had many varied uses throughout its history, once being home to Tudor poet Thomas Wyatt, and was the Boxley village post office between the 1930s and 1960s.

The grant, awarded by Historic England, will help fund the design of an engineering solution to reinforce the west corner of the chapel, as well; as investigations into the causes of structural movement, which the building has experienced over the last 500 years.

Marion Brinton, from Historic England, said the organisation was ‘delighted’ to support the SPAB with the sensitive repair of the historic building.

“The many layers of history are evident in every room and by properly investigating the best way to support and repair the structural issues identified, we can ensure the correct solution is found to allow this building to live on,” he said.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, talk to us today.

When To Repair Plaster

There are many reasons plaster is a popular building material. It is easy to produce, malleable and suited to being used both indoors and out. But its durability is also crucial.

All this has helped influence is widespread use in London, not least because it is a key element of the Regency architecture seen in central and west London, with a few more isolated examples in Croydon.

As these buildings date back centuries, one may ask just how often that plaster has needed repairing. The answer will, of course, vary: anything from house fires to the Luftwaffe could account for damage to plasterwork in London down the years.

Nonetheless, over time plaster does suffer wear and tear, whether inside or out, just like any other material. While it should last indefinitely, it can crack, be stained, flake or be damaged by machinery or accidental damage.

Two key factors determine how long plaster lasts. Firstly, the quality of work and the kind of plaster used is critical. The second is the environment it will be exposed to. Outdoors, plaster will be subject to weathering, while inside it may be prone to human influences. For instance, staining is more likely if someone in the house smokes.

When it comes to repairs, it is important not to opt for cheap choices like plasterboard when repairing older, period piece plaster. It will be flat and stand out as a bland, dull patch amid a lot of delicately crafted and ornamental plaster, thus diminishing the aesthetic quality residents and visitors will have enjoyed and admired up to this point.

The other thing to bear in mind is that a high quality job will mean your plaster lasts longer, barring accidents. That means you will be able to enjoy the results of repaired cornices, coving and other features for many years to come without needing further work on it.

UK House Hunters Looking For Period Features

A recent survey has revealed that a fifth of UK homebuyers are seeking out properties with ‘originality’, and quirky characters and period features are now a must-have.

The Sun reports that the survey of 2,000 people in the UK aged between 25 and 65-years-old, and currently on the hunt for a new home, found that 12 per cent of respondents are looking out for untraditional properties with unique offerings, such as stables, churches, and even windmills.

Ten per cent of respondents want a concealed room or a herb garden, or a home with a sizeable basement. A further 17 per cent are looking for a garden office room. A total of 58 per cent of homebuyers are looking for a living space that reflects their style and personality.

The survey was commissioned by internet service provider TalkTalk, who teams up with TV interior designer Anna Richardson, who said: “When it comes to interior design, I’ve always loved the extraordinary – it’s the bold, unconventional and unique features that make a home individual to me.”

“While the aesthetic is important, I’m often using multiple devices while my home flexes between being a workspace, hangout for friends and family and a cosy den to catch up on my favourite shows.”

The study also revealed that the pandemic has impacted what 20 per cent of property hunters are looking for in a new home. A total of 65 per cent are looking for more space, and two-fifths are looking for a home close to work, while 45 per cent said that a fast and reliable internet connection is vital.

Jonathan Kini, managing director of TalkTalk Consumer and Direct Business, said: "Many of us are looking to extend our home or make use of more unconventional living spaces.”

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, talk to us today.

How Old Is My Period Property?

Period homes continue to be hugely popular for Brits, and the large, roomy houses have been even more in demand as people seek out larger homes and properties with gardens following the lockdowns of the last couple of years.

But do you know how old your home is, or what era it belongs to? There may be times when you will need to know this, such as renewing your home insurance or looking for a better deal. We have a look at how to find out!

There can be a few different ways to find out the age of your home. Firstly, you should go and check any documentation from when you purchased the property. If you have the title deeds or title register that you will have received when you bought your home, then the construction date will be listed.

If you can’t find your title deeds, you can obtain new copies for £3 from the government website. Alternatively, you can get in touch with your local authority and ask when planning permission was granted for your property.

If this doesn’t give you any answers, then you should contact the company or person from whom you bought the property, as they would have had to fill out a TA6 property information form, which will include the date it was built.

Another idea would be to ask neighbours, as their homes may be built at or around the same period, and they may already know.

However, for much older properties, you may need to don a Deerstalker and start a little detective work to pin down the era in which it was built. The features of your home can indicate the era and style it belongs to, such as the flat, symmetrical eateries or Georgian era properties, or the geometric tiling and says windows of a Victorian home.

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to find a date stone on your property telling you when it was completed.

Another option you could try is searching the 2,000 properties listed on the government’s website or going through your local record office archives.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, talk to us today.

Where Is The Best Place To Buy A Period Home?

We all have a checklist when looking for a new home, maybe it has to be close to a network hub or local amenities, perhaps you want a larger garden, or ideally a house in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But for many people, it is the draw of a period property.

But if you’re looking for historic beams, decorative cornicing, sash windows and glorious fireplaces, you may want to consider where is the best chance to find period features? We have a look at the best places to buy a period home, from the gorgeous period mansions of London to the beauty of Argyle and Bute in Scotland.

Property portal Zoopla has compiled a list of the best places in the UK with period properties for sale, all listed as either Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, or Tudor.

It may be of little surprise to anyone, but the number one spot was grabbed by London, as it is the region with the most period properties for sale, with 19 per cent of homes listed boasting period features.

In terms of boroughs, Haringey comes out on top, with more Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian and Tudor era properties than anywhere else in London. The city dominates the ranking, with seven London boroughs making it into the top ten, including Waltham Forest and Fulham.

Outside of the Capital, Brighton and Hove found itself in fifth place, with 24 per cent of properties being marketed as having period features.

Elsewhere, Argyll and Bute in Scotland is one of the rural areas with 15 per cent of properties for sale with character, and also one of the top five places to live in Scotland, surrounded by outstanding beauty, mountains, sea lochs, and 3,000 miles of coastline.

You can view the full top 10 below:

Haringey, London - 30 per cent

Waltham Forest, London - 28 per cent

Hammersmith and Fulham, London - 26 per cent

Richmond upon Thames, London - 26 per cent

Brighton and Hove, South East - 24 per cent

Merton, London - 23 per cent

Bristol, South West - 23 per cent

Kingston upon Thames, London - 22 per cent

Hastings, South East - 22 per cent

Lewisham, London - 22 per cent

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, talk to us today

Tips For Renovating A Victorian House

With soaring ceilings, gorgeous mouldings, and decorative woodwork, as well as a plethora of interesting and alluring details, anyone who is renovating a Victorian property will not need to be convinced of the character and charm of a period home.

Renovating a period property is a popular option for many, in place of buying a more modern home that does not need any work undertaking, but renovation is not without challenges, and the layouts of these houses may not be suitable for everyone.

We have a look at some ideas for renovating a Victorian house to make the best of the property.

Remove Internal Walls

One issue that many owners of Victorian homes have is that the layout of the property can feel like a rabbit warren. Many homeowners now prefer to prioritise an easy flow, natural light and an open, spacious feel. 

Consider the existing layout, and consider removing internal walls that carve up spaces that would work better as one larger space. A common renovation in Victorian properties is to remove the wall that separates the kitchen from the dining space to create a larger kitchen diner.

Open up the Staircase

It is common for staircases in Victorian houses to have walls on either side, boxing them in and making them feel claustrophobic and dark. Consider opening up the staircase by taking out a wall, either to one or both sides, to create a more open, brighter feel.

Replace Missing Original Features

Original period features are highly desirable, but in many cases, they have been long missing. You can seek out replacements at reclamation or salvage yards, or find experts in period features, such as plaster and mouldings to help recreate features.

If you’re looking for experts in lath & plaster in London, talk to us today.

Listed Building Request To Save Iconic Art Deco House In Rhos-on-Sea

An attempt to preserve a historic art deco house in Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales from being demolished to make way for a controversial housing project has been rejected by the Welsh heritage board.

Despite a petition and calls from Baroness Joan Blackwell and writer and presenter Griff Rhys-Jones OBE to save 57 Marine Drive and its history, Cadw, the Welsh board in charge of historic buildings and structures, have rejected a request to have the property listed.

One of the biggest reasons for this rejection, a blow to plans for listed building restoration of the property, is that whilst it was believed that the much-loved property was constructed by famous architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes, Cadw claims there is no evidence he designed 57 Marine Drive.

Mr Foulkes, primarily known for public housing developments, cinemas and the famous chapel of Rhos-on-Sea after the Second World War, had designed some private housing projects such as Wren’s Nest in Colwyn Bay, was believed to have been the designer behind the distinctive property.

However, Cadw instead believes that William Evans, a local contractor who bought the plot of land in 1935 and then sold the house to a Mrs Royle, a widow who originally lived in Irlam, Salford, Greater Manchester.

This makes the contribution to architectural history more locally significant than national, according to Cadw.

As well as this, the assessment found that the substantial changes to the buildings detracted from its art-deco character. This includes the division of the building into two separate flats in the 1960s, the replacement of the doors and windows with standard uPVC and the creation of a porch in 1994.

According to Cadw, the only original details left are the internal doors, the timber stairs and hallway tiling, as well as a damaged original bathroom.

This story highlights the difficulties in acquiring listed building status and the effects restorations that do not have the original character of the building at the forefront can have on a structure.