Conservation - Sample Projects

St. Mary's Church, East Brent, Somerset

Conservation and repair of the west tower and spire

Following the completion of the Quinquennial Survey for the church in the late 1990s, a scheme for conserving and repairing the mediaeval stonework of the tower was prepared. The local lias stone tower was suffering from severe fracturing and delamination of the stone facing, with a risk of collapse. The project was carried out in three phases by Ellis & Co. of Shepton Mallet, using grants from English Heritage and smaller organisations such as the Friends of Somerset Churches and Chapels. The total project cost was approximately £250,000, and the final phase of the work was completed in 2004.

Frome Museum, Frome, Somerset

External cleaning and repairs

Refurbishment of existing museum, adding new facilities. Condition survey and feasibility study to assess continued use of listed Victorian building. Conservation and restoration work to external fabric; conversion of internal spaces. Work undertaken in partnership with Frome Historic Building Preservation Trust.

Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire

Rejuvenation of castle with extensive garden buildings

Rejuvenation and redevelopment of privately-owned castle and extensive garden buildings (including Joseph Paxton conservatory) into working environment, conference facilities and hotel. Considerable external work has included replacing the entire roof. Internally, rooms re-ordered with upgraded services.

Newark Park, Gloucestershire

Condition Survey of the main house, various outbuildings and cottages within the estate

The estate of Newark Park is owned by the National Trust, and initially we were commissioned to carry out a Condition Survey for all the buildings on the estate and to put forward a ten-year Forward and Maintenance Programme. In addition, we were commissioned to develop a scheme for repair and conversion of the stable block and neighbouring farm buildings.

Newark Park is one of a number of estates for which we have been commissioned as architects for a range of projects – from Condition Surveys to full-scale restoration programmes..

Kingcott Farm, Flax Bourton, North Somerset

Repairs and refurbishment

Preparation of repair, restoration and extension scheme for this privately-owned early medieval manor house. Involved detailed negotiation with local authority, and unravelling of complex listed building and planning issues.

American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath

Restoration of the staircase lantern

Claverton Manor is a Grade I Listed building situated on the outskirts of Bath. It is the home of the American Museum in Britain, and Chedburn Design and Conservation was appointed as surveyors to the fabric towards the end of the 1990s. Following the completion of a Condition Survey and Forward Maintenance Plan, the most recent project has involved the restoration of the glazed lantern over the main staircase.

St. Mary’s Church, Berkley, near Frome

Internal redecoration scheme and conservation repair to the ceiling structure

Following the completion of a Quinquennial Survey on the church in the mid-1990s, the church raised substantial funds to redecorate the interior of this important C18 Grade II Listed church. The work involved the removal of layers of previous paintwork and the conservation of the ornate plaster ceiling of the dome. In addition, both internal and external conservation repairs were carried out to the church tower, along with the re-leading of the roof structure at high level. The work was carried out by West Country Tiling, of Frome, and was grant-aided by English Heritage.

St. Mary’s Church, Bridgwater, Somerset

Conservation and repair of the external stonework of the church

Chedburn Design and Conservation was appointed as project architects for the second phase of a project to conserve and repair the stonework of this important Grade I Listed mediaeval church. The work also involved the adoption of delicate masonry-cleaning techniques, as well as the repair of the leaded-light and stained-glass windows. The project was carried out by Wells Cathedral Stonemasons and was fully funded by the church with grants from smaller, grant-aiding organisations such as the Friends of Somerset Churches and Chapels. The project was completed in December 2006.

St. Saviour’s Church, Larkhall, Bath

Stone parapet repair scheme

In 2004, a project for the repair of the high-level stone parapets to this important Grade II* Listed church was prepared. The mid-C19 stonework to the tall, pierced parapets had weathered badly with a danger of collapse. We developed a scheme for parapet repairs, along with the replacement of large areas of stonework that had been laid on an incorrect bed. With a grant from English Heritage, the various phases of the work have been completed by Ellis & Co. of Shepton Mallet, and the overall cost of the project is anticipated to be approximately £250,000.

Piercefield House, Chepstow

Restoration of derelict building to form a hotel and golf course

Originally designed by Sir John Soane in the C18, the building has been in a state of disrepair since the end of the Second World War. The structure is now unsound, the roof having collapsed during the 1980s. The project has involved working closely with Monmouthshire Council to investigate the options for the building’s conservation and reuse.