Bishop Percy's House Bridgnorth News
TUDOR MERCHANT’S HOUSE IN SHROPSHIRE
Once used for many years as a Boys’ Club, this vacant Grade I listed merchant’s house in Bridgnorth was proposed to be converted to three apartments. Early pre-application negotiations with the Council’s Planning and Conservation Officers ensured they were receptive to a potentially controversial scheme. Commissioning a Historic Appraisal to establish and define the significance of the structure and its evolution (a medieval core to the building was uncovered), demonstrating the proposals would not negatively impact on the building resulted in English Heritage offering their support also.
With sensitive listed buildings, we always advocate a careful and methodical approach. This avoids a confrontational stance with the Local Planning Authority or English Heritage. Gaining the confidence of these bodies is vital.
More problematic was the proposal to build four terraced house in the garden. A modern approach was thought essential, both to distinguish the new build from the Tudor house, but also to take advantage of the superb views with extensive glazing. Officers were more ambivalent and Councillors objected in principle to a contemporary approach. English Heritage was still supportive of the proposals due to the level of analysis submitted to justify the proposals. There was no alternative but to take the application to appeal.
Again a careful and considered explanation of why a modern architectural solution was appropriate in such a historic context found favour with the Planning Inspector at the Informal Hearing.
Source: Mike Harris - Stoneycroft Planning
Daring design gets government approval
Shropshire Review August 2009
A controversial application for four contemporary homes near one of Bridgnorth’s most historic buildings has been granted following a ruling by the Planning Inspectorate.
The proposed development is at the rear of Bishop Percy’s House in Cartway, a Grade I Listed building dating from 1580 which has been empty for five years.
Planning permission has been granted to convert the former boys’ club into three luxury apartments, but the now defunct Bridgnorth District Council turned down an application for four ultra-modern homes on the site of the club’s gymnasium.
However, both the government’s planning inspectorate and English Heritage backed the development, which was designed by award-winning architects Johnson Design Partnership. Vic Johnson of the Partnership said that he was delighted that the council’s ruling had been overturned. “The gymnasium is an eyesore and the decision to block the development was nothing more than nostalgia getting in the way of common sense” he commented.
Source Shropshire ReviewHistoric Planning Decision
Johnson Limited - Friday, 15 May 2009
Bridgnorth’s historic townscape will get an injection of 21st Century design after a decision to block a state-of-the-art development at the rear of Bishop Percy’s House was overturned by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.
Architect Vic Johnson, head of Johnson Design Partnership, was delighted with the decision which will see four contemporary homes built on the site of a derelict gymnasium.
Bosses at English Heritage said they “fully supported” the development and added that it would make “a positive but fitting contribution to Bridgnorth’s delightful and variegated townscape”.
Bishop Percy’s House, a Grade I-listed Elizabethan manor, is one of the most significant properties in the Midlands, yet it has stood empty for five years. Planners at Bridgnorth District Council granted permission to convert it into three luxury apartments but had vetoed the development at the rear of the building – previously the home of Bridgnorth Boys’ Club - until the Planning Inspectorate stepped in last week.
Mr Johnson, whose architectural practice in Bridgnorth has won a coveted CPRE award for its landmark eco-design of a school in Northamptonshire, explained: “The gymnasium is an eyesore and the decision to block the development was nothing more than nostalgia getting in the way of common sense.
“One of the major benefits of this modernist scheme is that, for the first time, many residents of Cartway will no longer be looking out over the existing asbestos roof. Indeed, those lucky enough to live in one of these new homes will see riverfront living in all its glory.
“Bridgnorth’s landscape is a wonderful hotchpotch of different designs from different periods in history and now it’s the turn of high-design.”
John Yates, inspector of historic buildings for English Heritage, gave his categoric support for the: “I confirm that English Heritage firmly supports the design approach adopted here.
“In a sensitive but varied historic environment such as this, the really important architectural considerations are quality and scale, rather than style. Quality comes from intrinsically high standards of design and construction, with a consistency of logic and an awareness of physical context. Scale concerns both the overall size of the development, and the scale of individual volumes, planes, lines and components.
“The selection of external materials, finishes and colours is an expression of both quality and scale, and makes a major contribution to the eventual harmony of the new building with its surroundings.
“We are satisfied that the design now proposed for this site can meet these high standards, and can come to be a positive but fitting contribution to Bridgnorth’s delightful and variegated townscape.”
Source: Johnson Limited Web site
Inquiry over plan for historic site
Shropshire Star 9th January 2009
TWO controversial planning applications to build four homes at the back of Bridgnorth’s historic Bishop Percy’s House will be decided soon. An appeal by owner James Rowley against initial proposals to build a two-storey block after demolishing the former gymnasium, is to be heard at an informal inquiry at Westgate on February 4.
This first application was thrown out after the council’s conservation officer objected to them, as well as 17 neighbouring residents who said the proposed development would not be in keeping with the area and would look like “seaside accommodation.”
Meanwhile, district council planning officer Sara Jones said this week that fresh plans to build the homes by the grade two listed house in the town’s conservation area, are set to be decided by January 23, possibly by officers using delegated powers. She said that the council had received comments about the second application.
Former district councillor Dr Christopher Jephcott, who lives nearby in Cartway, has expressed his views on the second application in a letter to the Westgate authority.
“I am pleased that the application represents a more realistic approach to the redevelopment of this sensitive site, so important as an element in the view of the High Town from across the river,” he states.
“The retro-styled houses are more easily assimilated than the ultra-modern proposals previously put forward.
“These are very small houses and whilst the interior, with a spiral staircase, is interesting, it does mean that one of the two bedrooms has a curved wall, not entirely practical in such a limited space
“As regards the exterior, it is true that many of the houses in the old town are now painted white over the brickwork, but quite recent photographs show the majority of houses in natural brick and painting over more brick facades is not encouraged.
“I therefore suggest that it would be preferable for both pairs of houses to be in natural local brick, though the distinction between the two styles could be maintained by using different colour bricks. In this way, the historical character of Bridgnorth would be better maintained.
“Finally, I don’t think that any objections were to the replacement of the unsightly, disused gymnasium building as such, as press reports seem to indicate.”
Source: Bridgnorth Journal
Opposition for homes plan
Friday 28th December 2007
Part of one of Bridgnorth’s most historic buildings looks set to be saved from being converted into homes.
Developers want to turn a gym at the rear of the Grade I listed Bishop Percy’s House, in Cartway, into four two-storey homes.
But the controversial plans, which have attracted opposition from conservationists and residents, have now been recommended for refusal by planning chiefs.
They say the homes would have a negative impact on the look of Bishop Percy’s House itself.
James Rowley, of Alveley, has applied for permission to convert the 1950's National Association of Boys Clubs brick built gymnasium on land that forms part of the curtilage of Bishop Percy’s House.
The building is within Bridgnorth Conservation Area and the proposed conversion has been opposed by Bridgnorth Town Council which said it was ” not conducive to the street scene”.
Bridgnorth District Council’s conservation officer has also objected to it as well as 17 neighbouring residents who said it was not in keeping with area and would look like “seaside accommodation”.
However Bridgnorth Civic Society said it fully supported the plans. In a report to district councillors, planning officer Sara Jones recommended the scheme for refusal.
She said: “The proposal would neither preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and would detract from the setting of the adjoining Grade I Listed Building known as Bishop Percy's House. It is considered that, whilst the concept of the proposal is acceptable, the final design execution fails to maximise the opportunities afforded by the site.” The plans will be considered by the council’s development control committee on January 7.
Source Shropshire Star
Shropshire iconic gem gets planning go-ahead
Balfours 18th June 2007
Bishop Percy's House, the only grade one listed building in the town and one of the oldest and most important houses in the Midlands has received listed planning consent and planning permission to be renovated into three flats and an adjoining cottage.
Balfours planning consultant, Mike Harris, who is driving the project says he is delighted: "We have secured a future for this iconic 16th Elizabethan timber framed Merchant house. We have worked with Johnson Design architect and negotiated with English Heritage to ensure a highly sensitive conversion is achieved."
Today's grade one listed building approval, which is a regional matter, gives permission for three residences: A one bedroom basement flat, a two bedroom ground floor flat and a three bedroom first and second floor flat. Permission has also been granted for a two bed adjacent cottage.
Says Mr Harris: "The division of the property has been critical to ensure that segmenting did not damage the fabric of the timber frame. What the permission gained by Balfours is now destined to achieve is four outstanding homes in a historic river side setting which is great for Bridgnorth."
The property was originally known as Forester's Folly, named after Richard Forester who had it commissioned in 1580. Escaping the town's great fire of 1646, it was then destined to be named after its' most famous occupant, Thomas Percy, poet, bishop and chaplain to George III, who was born in the house in 1729. The house was used commercially from the 1850s to the 1940s, when Bridgnorth Boys' Club became custodians, prior to selling in 2003.
"Bishop Percy's House was originally built as a private residence with outstanding views over the river, so it is a natural to reinstate to its original purpose, albeit for 21st century living where demands on domestic units are very different to those of five centuries ago," adds Mr Harris.
Source: Balfours
Ancient House On The Market
BBC News 28th May 2003
The house is owned by Bridgnorth Boys' Club
A house built in the late 16th century in Shropshire, which has stood empty for 150 years, is on the market for £400,000.
Bishop Percy's House, in Bridgnorth, is said to be one of the oldest and most important houses in the Midlands.
It was originally known as Forester's Folly, named after Richard Forester who had it commissioned in 1580.
Thomas Percy, poet, bishop and chaplain to George III, was born in the house in 1729.
It is one of only three Grade I listed buildings in Shropshire and escaped the great fire of 1646.
The house was used commercially used from the 1850s to the 1940s. It is being sold by owners Bridgnorth Boys' Club who are moving to new premises within the town. Chairman of the club Ian Oliver said: "English Heritage has made it perfectly clear that nothing can be done with it except to return it to a private residence."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk