HERITAGE STATEMENT: For MILTON HALL, MILTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE THE WORKSPACE CONSULTANTS LLP

Transcription

1 HERITAGE STATEMENT: For MILTON HALL, MILTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE Supporting documentation for Listed Building application January

2 Kingston Barns Bourn Road Kingston CB23 2NP Tel: CONTENTS: 1.0 Introduction 2.0 History 3.0 Analysis 4.0 Bibliography 2

3 1.0 Introduction. This statement has been produced to support the Listed Building application for the refurbishment of Milton Hall, Milton. The proposed works are to update the interior of the space for use as prestigious Serviced Offices. Most of the space was last refurbished in the 1980 s and although its use is already commercial office space the interior needs to be redesigned to support Serviced Offices for multiple tenants. Very few works are external and all external works are within the boundary of the existing building. Please read this statement in conjunction with the following information. 1. Drawings from The Workspace Consultants LLP. The General Arrangement Plans show the intended internal layout, the Existing Plans show the current layouts and the Builders Plans show the proposed works. 2. Photographic survey (referenced on the Existing Plans). 3. Historic drawings and documentation. Drawings Ground Floor General Arrangement Plan Ground Floor Existing Plan Ground Floor Builders Plan First Floor General Arrangement Plan First Floor Existing Plan First Floor Builders Plan Basement and Second Floor General Arrangement Plans Basement and Second Floor Existing Plans Basement and Second Floor Builders Plans D Rev C D Rev A D Rev A D Rev C D Rev A D Rev A D Rev C D Rev A D Rev A Proposed Elevations D Rev - Existing Elevations D Rev - Site Plan D Rev - Block plan D Rev - Historic drawings and research are also enclosed for information only. Children s Home Plans from August 1946 Electricity Board Plans from December 1949 Lyster Grillet and Harding various drawings from 1983 &

4 2.0 History Milton Hall was built for the Rev Samuel Knight around The design was derived from the plates in Sir John Soane s Plans, Elevations and Sections of Buildings (1788). The most similar are of Tendring Hall, Suffolk and Letton Hall (see below). TENDRING HALL, - Sir John Soane s Plans, Elevations and Sections of Buildings (1788). LETTON HALL - Sir John Soane s Plans, Elevations and Sections of Buildings (1788). The gardens and landscapes were laid out to the designs of Knight s friend Humphrey Repton in 1789 with an Ornamental piece of water and park like grounds. Most of the grounds no longer belong to the current owner but are visible through the boundary. The lake is due to be reinstated as part of the development behind the hall. 4

5 The house was residential until 1888, it was owned by the Knights and the Baumgartner s until it was sold in 1859, subsequently owned by Richard Miller (a Cambridge wine merchant) until 1866 and then the Rev d Charles William Giles until It was then sold in to the Pryors of Cambridge who leased it whilst letting to farmers most of the parks. MILTON HALL - Sale Particulars from

6 MILTON HALL - Sale Particulars from

7 During the 1930 s the hall was used to house refugee Basque children and between as military billets. In 1948 it was sold to the Eastern Electricity Board who used it as a regional HQ. During this time many deeply unsympathetic alterations were made to the interior of the hall and during the 50 s and the 60 s the stables and associated out buildings were all demolished to build two new office wings. (Currently identified as the North and East wings) MILTON HALL Pre 1980 s View from South East 7

8 Milton Hall was listed in October 1982 just before Sinclair Research Ltd bought the site for use as offices (1983). The building is Grade 2 listed and the listing text describes the building as follows. Small country House of Gault, stone dressing. Low pitched hipped slate roofs. Symmetrical arrangement of central three storey block of three bays with end stacks, flanked by two storey single bay wings raised over basement with deep plinth. Kitchen wing of two storeys to North East. Semi circular rear elevation of central block reflected over plan of first and second floors. Wooden eaves cornices with dentil enrichment. Main elevation: three second floor, four-paned and central six-paned recessed hung sash windows in cambered gauged brick arches. Similar first and ground floor windows with eight and twelve-panes. Tuscan porch approached by stone steps originally semi-circular in plan; round arched brick doorway with patterned fanlight and wide six-panelled door. Some C18 mullioned and transomed windows with leaded lights to rear of kitchen wing. Interior. Geometric planned open string staircase with square balusters and mahogany hand rail lit by oval stair light with cast iron glazing bars. Original paneled mahogany and painted doors with some C19 attic doors; dentil cornice with composite pilasters and marks for two missing columns in paneled entablature in ground floor room if south west wing. Kitchen with sealed cooking hearth and stop-chamfered ceiling beams also in servants hall and scullery. Servant s stair. Brick vaulted basement. Some alterations to north-east wing and kitchen wing were made c

9 There were many alterations to the hall and associated buildings between 1983 and A new curved screened wall was added to the western front encompassing a new Link Building with a relocated main entrance as well as significant works to the parking and grounds. Many internal features were significantly altered at this time. All internal servants staircases were removed and the sweeping centre piece staircase with the oval stair light over was extended both up to the 2 nd floor and down to a significantly enlarged basement. Most of the original servant s wing was generally degraded to cater for the new reception area, with much of the historic fabric significantly compromised. The grounds to the South East were heavily excavated to cater for a bar in the cellars and an external staircase from the oval room on the South East elevation was removed to make way for a much grander balcony with stairs but was never built. MILTON HALL 1984 View from North West MILTON HALL 1984 View from West MILTON HALL 1984 View from South east MILTON HALL 1984 View from North East 9

10 3.0 Analysis The original Georgian Hall built in 1792 has been used as office accommodation for over 60 years. It has been empty now for nearly a year because the interior is very tired and needs upgrading in line with the level of accommodation offered elsewhere in Cambridge. Lighting, heating and IT provisions all need to be upgraded to current requirements. MILTON HALL 2013 View from North West The proposals are to refurbish the original hall, the link building and the north wing to a level which will attract the local desire for serviced offices. Much research has been carried out into the demand for serviced office accommodation and the layouts have been designed to cater for small businesses of 2-8 staff. There may also be a group offices where new companies can rent just one or 2 desks. It is believed that Milton Hall will be a significant selling feature for these offices as the both the hall and the grounds have a gravitas and beauty not found with other serviced offices. The level of fit out in the whole of the complex will be good with a prestigious reception area in the hall vestibule. The key requirements for a successful development are an impressive entrance with clear and easy way finding, bookable meeting facilities with breakout areas and serviced office accommodation. The hall will be one of the key interests for prospective tenants and as such any original features will be highly valued. 10

11 A disabled entrance will give access to both the link and the north wing; this will be fed by a new ramp integrated into the current curved walkway to the front the building. Disabled facilities will also be provided for the link and the north wing. MILTON HALL 2013 View showing proposed disabled access. MILTON HALL 2013 View from West 11

12 The removal of some of the recently added walls in the stairwells of the hall will facilitate the feeling of grandeur whilst balancing the space in line with the John Soane designs. It is difficult to balance the building against the original design with so much of it removed or altered. The proposed layouts aim to both rebalance whilst facilitating the change from single to multiple users. A selection of interior photos is shown. A significant photographic survey is also included in the application. View showing entrance hall View showing stair light \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Views showing staircase 12

13 2.0 Bibliography The County Archives Castle Hill The Cambridge University Library Grange Road John Soane Plans, Elevations and Sections of Buildings 1788 Private research from interested parties 13