Past Projects

In the 1960s, listed building legislation was almost non-existent. All that was required by the owner of a listed building was to give two months’ notice to the local authority of the intention to demolish the property. The county had many abandoned buildings. In time the County Council invoked powers available under the Town and County Planning Acts to compulsorily take over neglected listed buildings. Many of these were passed to Building Preservation Trusts with some financial assistance. This combination of legal ownership, financial backup and
persistence prompted a series of repair notices.

Forrester’s Cottages, High Street, Ashwell

One such case in the county were the derelict 16th century Forrester’s Cottages, High Street, Ashwell. Locals were complaining that roofing
materials were being stripped ready for demolition on a key site due for redevelopment. Hours to go, the HCC stepped in and a scheme of restoration prepared and then endowed to the fledging Trust in 1962-64. In time the Trust sold them on as part of the revolving fund.

Town House Cottages, Barley

The success of Forrester’s Cottages encouraged the Trust with the support of local authorities to acquire Town House Cottages, Barley adjoining the historic Town House came in 1964 after protracted legal wrangles. They were fully restored and sold on.

2, High Street, Barkway

The 16th century 2, High Street, Barkway was identified as a fine timber framed Hall House hidden under later alterations. The Trust assisted the owner to carry out a scheme for improvement. Its fate would have been demolition for road widening. 124-126 High Street, Barkway in poor condition once again became an attractive place in the centre of the village. The boarded up Kelshall Maltings were in a deplorable state. The list goes on.

Elsewhere, repair notices were drawn up for properties further east included 18th century Springfield, Crossbrook Street, Cheshunt owned by the Thames Water Authority. The authority made it over to the Trust for a nominal sum together with £30,000 towards full restoration. Other funds were raised. At firstthe house was let, but later sold.

Mustard Pot, Broxbourne

Another was the Mustard Pot, Broxbourne, lying on the old Cambridge coaching road had become derelict and vandalised. Following prolonged legal processes the building was restored and converted to offices by the Trust.

Bourne Cottage, Widford

Later came Grade II Bourne Cottage, Widford near Ware. This eyesore had lain empty and derelict for some time but the Trust stepped in to create an attractive and desirable thatched residence. This was sold on and a good profit made.

Amwellbury Dovecote, Great Amwell

The final major project to be completed by the Trust was the elegant but fragile Amwellbury Dovecote, Great Amwell near Ware. It was bequeathed by Deed of Gift to the Trust by Captain Ralph Richardson’s family in 1987. How to create a dwelling from a 300 year derelict dovecote? East Hertfordshire District Council granted a change of use. It proved a costly project but an intermediate floor was inserted for living space within the octagon. An extension to the side provided an entrance hall, kitchen and other rooms to
become a spacious house. On completion the Dovecote was first let but later sold to a private buyer.

66 Queen Street, Hitchin and its contents were bequeathed to the Trust in 2003 by Miss Mary Aughton on her death at the age of 94. In her younger days she was a Trust Director and a doughty campaigner to protect the old town of Hitchin from roads and development and elsewhere in North Herts. The late 19th century row of houses was built by George Jeeves, no 66 being for his daughter. A well known local