The Georgian Group's latest Annual Report, available
free online, summarises our recent work across the broad spectrum of our activities, from campaigning to education. Among the casework covered is our involvement with
Scraptoft Hall on the eastern edge of Leicester. A late seventeenth century country house altered and recased in around 1720 for Laetitia Wigley, it was converted to university use after the Second World War but is now disused and decaying with clear evidence of vandalism which, though petty, has been persistent enough to have a significant cumulative effect. At the same time, the setting has been badly degraded with the building of a large housing estate on the former campus. In this kind of case the best answer is usually to get the property back into use and it can be tempting to jump at the first opportunity that presents itself; tempting, but sometimes misguided. Here we were faced with a proposed conversion to a 97-bed care home allied to demolition and rebuilding of the service range, conversion of the remaining outbuildings and further extensive new building in the grounds. The effect would have been ruinous, a blighting of the historic building masquerading as salvation. In our view, no scheme which was financially dependent on such a massive new development could seriously be regarded as optimal viable use. English Heritage responded to our request for backing and a public inquiry was held in 2009, the outcome of which is awaited. Our picture shows Scraptoft in 2007: much of the glass and many of the glazing bars (note the thickness, correct for the 1720 date) have now been smashed, presenting a sad and increasingly derelict spectacle. But as the picture also shows, the house is a magnificant specimen, well worth saving.
I have read your report with great interest as we live on the 'housing estate on the former campus'. I appreciate that no one likes new developments where there were none, but this site belonged to the University and was already developed as a college. When it was sold, it was bound to be used for housing, unless someone could afford to restore it to its former glory. The Hall still has grounds and a lake. As for the plan for the Hall, it was not a '97-bed care home'(!!). It was a 97 flat retirement complex. This plan is deeply unpopular locally but the bottom line is that somewhere like this must generate a robust income, otherwise what of the future? With concern, Frances Bailess
ReplyDeleteJust to say that I only selected 'anonymous' as it would not accept my e-mail and I do not have an URL.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for this comment. You're quite right that a use is needed for the house - that is the only way to preserve it and prevent further creeping damage. We entirely accept that the existing housing behind the Hall is an accomplished fact and we hope that the presence of the Hall adds to the enjoyment you derive from living there. Ideally, institutions, when vacating a site, would remove ancillary buildings erected during their tenure. That ought to be enforced where they were put up under Crown Immunity (ie without planning permission) but we accept that it would have to be undertaken voluntarily in other cases.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope a solution is found soon for Scraptoft that does full justice to the quality of the building.
I hope Scraptoft Hall can be saved. It is an historical manor and helps keep history alive.
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