(B) BUILDINGS AT RISK - PROGRESS REPORT

90 (B) BUILDINGS AT RISK - PROGRESS REPORT Executive Summary This report (OPS/00/04/07) updates Members on the progress of the Buildings at Risk Project after two years in relation to the objectives and targets set. FOR DECISION Introduction (1) Members approved the Buildings at Risk Strategy in December 1998. The aims were: to minimise the number of Buildings at Risk in the Borough; and to encourage the proper upkeep of the Borough s Listed Buildings with a view to preventing them becoming at risk or vulnerable. A series of measures were approved with a five-year target of: reducing the 36 Buildings at Risk and capable of use by 25; preventing vulnerable buildings moving into the at risk category; developing a pilot project to assist with gravestone refurbishment. (2) A total of 750,000 was approved for this project with initial allocations as follows: listed building grants 225,000 Buildings at Risk 375,000 Grave Risk 150,000 (3) This is the second annual progress review of the Buildings at Risk Project. The review looks at the elements of the project separately as follows: (a) (b) Listed Building Grants Buildings at Risk (i) (ii) (iii) support for Buildings at Risk and capable of use the Grave Risk Project dealing with listed graves and monuments in churchyards actions taken on vulnerable buildings

91 Report of the Head of Strategy and Development Cont d. Listed Building Grants (4) In the financial year 2000-01, 18 grants have been offered at a value of 39,915.88, seven of which have been paid, at a value of 16,628.87. Further applications are currently being processed and updated figures will be reported verbally. (5) A further eight grant payments outstanding from offers made in the 1999-2000 year totalling 12,303.56 and two totalling 2,950.00 from 1998-99 have also been made, giving a total of 31,882.43 paid out in the 2000-01 year. (6) The 2000-01 Strategy, Design and Projects Service Plan identified a target of 15 days between receipt of Listed Building Grants and visiting site. (7) 100% of grant application sites were visited within the 15 day target period. Buildings at Risk (8) All owners of current Buildings at Risk have acknowledged the result of the initial survey and a programme for the repair of each property has been discussed with them. (9) The following tables give progress to date, proposed actions, and committed expenditure on the 36 Buildings at Risk. Buildings are listed alphabetically by Parish, and those which are no longer considered to be at risk are shaded. (10) Benenden Property Wandle Mill, Mill Street, Iden Green, Benenden Barn, Babbs Farm, Babbs Lane, Benenden Stable, Babbs Farm / Cottage, Babbs Lane Benenden Barn, Forest Farm, Nineveh Lane, Benenden Pagehurst Cottages, Stepneyford Lane, Benenden 4 Corner Cottages, Cranbrook Road, Benenden Beacon Windmill, Rolvenden Road, Benenden Progress Conversion to four flats proceeding well. No longer at risk. Following a survey commissioned by TWBC, discussed with owner. Repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. Owner intends to convert to residential in Spring 2002. Following a survey commissioned by TWBC, negotiation with joint owners and a 50% grant by TWBC, repairs carried out. No longer at risk. Converted to dwelling. No longer at risk. Repaired by owner. No longer at risk. Some repairs carried out by owner. Recent Listed Building Consent application for replacement window approved 8 March 2001. Listed Building Consent now required for repointing. Structural survey and schedule of repairs commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Owner seeking quotes, to apply for 50% grant. committed or spent (exc. VAT) 15,904.25 2,060.00

92 (11) Brenchley (12) Capel Oast, Little Dunks Farm, Cuckoo Lane, Brenchley 1 Reeds Farm Cottages, Alders Road, Capel 2 Reeds Farm Cottages, Alders Road, Capel Billy Bucks Barn, Tudeley Lane, Capel Dairy, Park Farmhouse, Somerhill, Capel Turkey House, Park Farmhouse, Somerhill, Capel (13) Cranbrook Burgage Plot Cottage, Stone Street, Cranbrook Owner has appointed agent to investigate options. Agent has surveyed, compiled schedule of repair and applied for consent to convert to residential use 19 February 2001. Works carried out under Urgent Works Notice being maintained. Meet potential new owner and agent end March. Issue of Compulsory Purchase of building pending outcome of current sale negotiations. Converted to office by owner. No longer at risk. Schedule of repairs commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Owner s programme not satisfactory. Propose consideration of Repairs Notice, subject to approval by Board. Schedule of repairs commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Owner s programme not satisfactory. Propose consideration of Repairs Notice, subject to approval by Board. New owner October 2000. Schedule of repairs commissioned by TWBC and given to owner, who will apply for Listed Building Consent for repairs and then decide whether to repair or convert. (6,000.00 in 97-98) 1,353.50 1,532.00 (14) Frittenden & Sissinghurst Barn, Cole Farm, Mill Lane, Frittenden Schedule of repairs commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Owner has employed agent, currently pursuing proposal for residential conversion. Design guidance framework given to owner; application for consent for change of use expected. 987.50

93 (15) Goudhurst Twyssenden Oast, Priors Heath, Goudhurst Twyssenden Barn, Priors Heath, Goudhurst Barn, Lamberts, Church Road, Goudhurst Stables, Finchcocks, Riseden, Goudhurst Granary, Little Marlingate, Bedgebury Road,Goudhurst Cartshed, Crowbourne Farm, Lidwells Lane, Goudhurst (16) Hawkhurst Barn, Gills Green Farm, Gills Green, Hawkhurst Oast, Gills Green Farm, Gills Green, Hawkhurst Ruffles, Rye Road, Hawkhurst Walled Nursery, St Ronans School, Gun Green, Hawkhurst Fire-damaged. Inspected, discussed with owner and wrote to DCMS re listing. Delisted. Fire-damaged. Inspected, discussed with owner and wrote to DCMS re listing. To remain listed, as attached to stables. Owner intends to sell property. New owner to be approached following sale. New owner October 2000. Repair schedule commissioned by TWBC and given to owner, who intends to apply for a grant following an application for Listed Building Consent. One year approval for residential conversion November 2000. Requested programme from owner s agent, no programme yet due to reported access difficulties. First response from owner to letters January 2001. Repair schedule commissioned by TWBC, owner intends to apply for grant, following applications for Listed Building Consent and Building Regulations. Application for conversion to holiday lets pending decision in April. Repair schedule commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Current application for residential conversion pending decision in April. Repair schedule commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Application for residential conversion approved 5 March 2001. Owners to be contacted for programme following decision on barn. Repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. Repair schedule commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Grant offered on Peach House and work commenced, due to be completed November 2001, with condition of repair to all listed buildings within 3 years. 1,158.50 675.00 2,696.81 12,670.70

94 (17) Horsmonden Barn, (30m) Yew Tree Farmhouse, Yew Tree Green Road, Hors. Barn, (50m) Yew Tree Farmhouse, Yew Tree Green Road, Hors. Farm Shop, Maidstone Road, Horsmonden (18) Lamberhurst Little Owl House, Mount Pleasant, Lamberhurst (19) Paddock Wood Stables, Catts Place, Mile Oak Road, Paddock Wood Following at risk notice, repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. Following at risk notice, repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. Following at risk notice, repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. Inspected and passed to DC for consideration. Six month approval for Listed Building Consent for restoration granted January 2001. Requested programme from owner s agent. Repair schedule commissioned by TWBC and given to owner. Owner intends to apply for grant and is currently seeking quotes for application. 956.30 (20) Pembury No Buildings at Risk. (21) Royal Tunbridge Wells & Southborough Ivy House Farm Barn, Pennington Road, Southboro 24 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells 28 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells The Pound, Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells (22) Sandhurst Barn, Puxtye Farm, Crouch Lane, Sandhurst Grant-aided repairs complete. No longer at risk. Following inspection, consultation and advice, repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. Following inspection, consultation and advice, repairs carried out by owner. No longer at risk. List of repairs agreed with owner. Owner currently seeking quotes for grant application. List of repairs agreed with owner. Owner wrote February 2001 confirming intention to complete repairs by end June 2001. ( 6,000 LB grant)

95 (23) Speldhurst and Bidborough Four Winds Windmill, Penshurst Road, Bidborough Current application for residential conversion, decision pending. Further details requested, recently received. (24) The 2000-01 Strategy, Design and Projects Service Plan identified a target to reduce the number of Buildings at Risk and capable of use by 16, from 36 to 20 by the end of March 2001. (25) In summary, 14 of the original 36 buildings identified are considered no longer to be at risk. Whilst this represents a shortfall compared to the target of 16, three applied for Listed Building Consent for repair work, and eight applied for Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission for a change of use during 2001/2. Active discussions are taking place with property owner and progress on the remaining Buildings at Risk is likely to be made during 2001/2. The Grave Risk Project (listed graves and monuments in churchyards) (26) As well as the 36 buildings listed above, 65 listed gravestones, tombs and other monuments spread across different churchyards, were identified as being at risk. It was considered targeted action should be carried out in those churchyards which contained at least one gravestone or tomb at risk, and should include other monuments and vulnerable gravestones and tombs in the same churchyard. (27) A pilot project was carried out at All Saints Church, Brenchley and St Laurence Church, Hawkhurst in summer 2000. Following consultation and an agreement with both churches to contribute 10% towards the cost of repairs the project succeeded in removing 16 gravestones from the at risk list. One tomb remains at risk at Brenchley, but work to this tomb is expected to be carried out this summer, subject to the Parochial Church Councils completion of work to a nearby tree. (28) The 2000-01 Strategy, Design and Projects Service Plan identified a target to restore graves at risk in two further churchyards. Christ Church, Kilndown and St Thomas A Beckett Church, Capel were selected for reasons of size and achievability. (29) Following survey, schedule of repairs, and agreement to a Faculty to proceed, work the Beresford-Hope tomb at Christ Church, Kilndown, which is at risk, is expected to be completed by the date of this meeting. Agreement to carry out work to a wrought iron memorial cross which is vulnerable has been given subject to a reviewed specification, and it is expected that work to the cross will follow soon after completion of work to the tomb. (30) A survey and schedule of repairs has been completed for stones at St Thomas A Beckett Church, Capel. The Borough Council s initial understanding was that the work should be authorised by the church authorities. However, the churchyard is under the control of the Church Conservation Trust, a charity which looks after closed churchyards. Whilst agreeing to contribute 10% towards costs, the Trust has yet to consult with its own consultant architect and has decided that the repair work must not be carried out in frosty conditions, and it is expected that work will begin this spring.

96 Report of the Head of Strategy and Development Cont d. (31) Completion of these two churchyards will lead to the removal of a further five stones or tombs from the at risk list. (32) A summary of costs and numbers is given in Appendix 1. Actions taken on vulnerable buildings (33) Buildings considered to be vulnerable are targeted for action through Listed Building Grants and the Grave Risk Project. (34) The Conservation Architect distributed advice leaflets, entitled Listed Buildings - A guide for owners, to all owners of listed buildings in November 2000. A Listed Building Grant leaflet was also enclosed to each of those properties considered to be vulnerable. (35) Listed Building Grant enquiries have been individually monitored since December 2000. (36) A review of these enquiries, along with written enquiries and previous Listed Building Grant schemes shows that six have had significant repair work with grant assistance from the Borough Council carried out since the initial survey. (37) Vulnerable gravestones, tombs and monuments in churchyards are included in the Grave Risk Project, along with those at risk, where the Parochial Church Councils are able to contribute towards costs. To date, 19 vulnerable gravestones or tombs have been removed from the list. Additional Buildings at Risk since the 1998 Survey (38) 13 potential new Buildings at Risk have been identified since the 1998 Survey. Each has been visited and seven are considered to be at risk. These are listed in Appendix 2. It is proposed that these be treated as new Buildings at Risk, and it should be noted that three are currently undergoing repair works or have repairs programmed. Way Forward (39) The proposed target for 2001-02 Service Plan is to reduce the number of Buildings at Risk on the original list by a further five, to 17, by the end of March 2002. (40) The Service Plan target for the coming year is to remove the remaining 44 stones and tombs at risk from a further nine churchyards before the end of March 2002. RECOMMENDED - That the report be noted. Contact officer: Brian Hayward TONY FULLWOOD Head of Strategy and Development Appendices: Appendix 1: Appendix 2 Summary of numbers and costs Preliminary Buildings at Risk Survey Review

97 Appendix 1 Grave Risk Project Summary of numbers and costs Note: Churchyards are included in the scheme where at least one gravestone is at risk. Vulnerable gravestones, tombs and other monuments in the same churchyard are also included. The costs reflect a 10% contribution from the Parochial Church Councils. Projected costs in italics are based on initial estimates, but also allow for a 10% contribution from the Parochial Church Councils. Churchyard At risk Vulnerable Total Cost St Laurence, Hawkhurst 11 4 15 9,894.60 All Saints, Brenchley 6 15 21 6,920.10 Consultants fees 786.00 St Thomas A Beckett, Capel 4 13 7 1,090.80 Christ Church, Kilndown 1 1 2 4,225.60 Consultants fees* 5,045.00 * The consultants fees for Capel and Kilndown also include surveys of St Dunstans, Cranbrook; St Mary s, Speldhurst; St Margaret s, Horsmonden and St Mary s, Goudhurst churchyards.

98 Appendix 2 Preliminary Buildings at Risk survey review Buildings capable of occupation - March 2001 property notes 1998 Risk Classification Current Risk Classification 1 Rose Cottage, Cranbrook Empty, on market for 1 yr. 5 4 2 Tubslake Oast, Water Lane, Hawk 3 Park Farmhouse, Smallbridge Road, Hors. 4 Old Peacock Cottage, Cranbrook Road, Goud. 4 3 Current application for alterations. 5 4 Repairs proposed by owner. 5 4 5 Providence Chapel, Cran. 4 4 6 Royal Oak Public House, Highgate, Hawk. 7 1 Roses Farm Cottages, Gills Green, Hawk. Fire damage. Insurance claim. 5 1 Main posts dropped. New owner. 5 2 8 Crane House, Northgrove Rd., Hawk. 9 Burgage Plot Cottage, 20yds N of Old Printers Hse, Stone St., Cran. Env. Services, multiple leaseholds. Bdg. Control aware. New owner. Now empty and unused. Proposed repair by owner. 5 4 4 3 10 32 Mt Ephraim, RTW 5 3 11 Barnfield Cottage and barn, High St., Hawk. 12 Duke of York Public House, High Street, Cran. 13 Hilltop Cottage, Tibbs Court Lane, Bren. Barn only 5 4 Fire damage. Insurance claim. 5 1 New owner, not moved in yet. 4 3 Notes: Those currently considered to be at risk (Classification 1, 2 or 3) are in bold type. This is not a comprehensive re-survey. The buildings reviewed are those brought to the attention of the Borough Council which we believe to be potentially at risk. Reasons for revisions to the list include: - Further information since initial survey - Closer inspection since initial survey - Change in condition since initial survey, e.g. fire, flood, weather - Change in occupancy since initial survey Classification of Risk: 1 Extreme Risk 2 Grave Risk (partially occupied) 3 Grave Risk (occupied) 4 Vulnerable 5 Not at Risk