Planning approval has been granted for the restoration of an important piece of 1930s architectural history in the South Downs National Park
We have secured planning approval for the restoration of a listed house, located in one of the most desirable downland villages in the SDNP. This Grade II listed cottage dates back to the 1700s. Interestingly, the property was previously used as the village post office, until its purchase in the 1930s.
The new owner was newspaper editor and future organiser of the Festival of Britain in 1951; Sir Gerald Barry. He had the property remodelled in 1937 by leading modernist architect FRS Yorke, author of The Modern House.
The building was also featured in The Architectural Review in 1940. Since this the building has been through successive owners, and consequently it has been heavily remodelled. This has compromised Yorke’s architectural vision from 1937.
The refurbishment scheme, created by our award-winning Chichester-based architects team, restores the original integrity of Yorke’s double-height sunroom by removing a poorly inserted floor. It was in this room that Barry planned much of The Festival of Britain.
Restoring 300 years of building
A careful restoration of the older parts of the property will ensure the history of the building is clearly legible. The consolidation of areas in a poor state of repair will secure its future as a much-loved home for the new owners.
Work has recently commenced on site. The site is project managed and supervised by the client, with the work due for completion later this year.
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