Homes plan approved despite concerns about listed building
12:46pm Thursday 11th August 2011
BURTON Hill House in Malmesbury is to become seven luxury apartments after planning permission was approved by the northern area planning committee last week.
The application had previously been deferred after concerns were raised over a number of issues, including insulation, damp-proofing and windows.
Andrew MacPherson, agent for developer Tansette Limited, said: “We want to restore this property to its former glory.
“This is a quality scheme that respects an important historical building.”
Plans have been beset by setbacks, including councillors’ fears that the changes could be harmful to the grade II-listed building.
Burton Hill House, which was built in 1846, was formerly a school for children with special needs, although it closed its doors in 2007 and has been empty since.
It was sold to Tansette for £2 million in 2009.
Malmesbury town councillor Bill Blake said: “This building makes a considerable contribution to the historical environment.
“People would like to see it returned to the way it used to be. This design is innovative and sensitive to the original structure.”
The renovations were also backed by Coun John Thompson, who was previously a school governor at Burton Hill House.
“I understand there are concerns over the addition of two garages at the property,” he said.
“However, I’d like to remind everyone that there are already the most ghastly modern additions to the building.
“The educational facility that was added is horrible to look at.
“There will be a huge gain when these ghastly buildings are removed, as they will be.”
He said the new properties would be far preferable to the idea of the building remaining empty.
“I am surprised it has not been subjected to any damage and this is a credit to the young people of the town,” he said.
“These changes would be a great improvement to the way it stands at the moment and I really do not have too great an issue with the garages.”
The proposal was backed, with eight councillors in favour and one against.