The White House

Client: David Morton

Location: Nottinghamshire

Services Provided:

• Built Heritage Consultancy

• Heritage Statement

GHC were engaged following initial objections by the Conservation Officer for the demolition of a former agricultural building, regarded by the Local Planning Authority as a non-designated heritage asset, within the Kneeton Conservation Area, to allow redevelopment of the site. Over recent years the stance of many Local Authorities to non-designated heritage assets has hardened considerably, with some treating them almost as though they were listed. Our heritage statement, backed up by the structural survey, concluded that the intrinsic heritage significance in the building was relatively low, although it did make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area in adding to the historic and agricultural experience of the village, but that the building was in such a poor condition that the extent of repair would effectively deliver an entirely new building. Therefore, whilst a complete rebuild may give an appearance of retaining the historic character of the Conservation Area it would not retain any true historic value. Under these circumstances it was argued that the proposed development would present a more honest approach in constructing a contemporary building, referencing its historic and agricultural setting. The Conservation Officer agreed with our conclusions and dropped all objections to the scheme which was subsequently granted.