Earl seeks permission to repair stately home
An earl is seeking permission to dismantle and rebuild a section of bell tower at a stately home near Stone so repair work can be carried out.
The Harrowby family still live at Sandon Hall, which has become a wedding venue in recent years as well as hosting other events.
And the Eighth Earl of Harrowby has applied to Stafford Borough Council for consent to carry out a series of works on the Grade II* listed building, including repairing a water tank, bell frame and bell mechanism. The scheme will also involve the dismantling of the upper section of the bell tower, which will later be rebuilt.
A heritage, design and access statement submitted as part of the Listed Building Consent application said: “The current house was completed to the design of William Burn in 1854 as a replacement for the previous house which badly damaged by fire in 1848. As the needs of the household increased a tower including a water header tank and bell was added at the east end of the north elevation.
“The bell tower is a prominent feature at the east (left hand) end of the principal entrance front of the hall. On initial inspection the condition of the tower appears reasonable however there are several defects that are present which are starting to cause problems.
“The water tank that is critical to the hall’s water supply is now heavily corroded although the thickness of the cast iron sections means that the tank has not yet rusted through. The water tank is not suitable to be used as a potable supply in its current condition.
“The cast iron bell frame comprises of four cast iron columns that sit on diagonal timber bearers that span across the corners of the tank. These have suffered from rot causing the bell frame above to settle. This has caused the bell frame itself to crack so that the bell can no longer be used. The bell frame and its fittings are also severely corroded.
“The lead roof has been replaced some time ago using a felt roofing product. This is now badly weathered and has reached the point where it is leaking and needs to be replaced.”
Over the years carbon pollution from the coal-fired chimneys on the property have caused surface erosion of stonework, the statement added, and so the masonry is set to be cleaned as part of the works.
The bell tower is set to be dismantled down to the second cornice and each stone and component will be numbered so the structure can be rebuilt with the same stones in the same places.
The statement said: “All of the proposed works are being done with the sole intention of ensuring the future of the bell tower well beyond the foreseeable future. Where original materials have been found to be problematic (such as the iron cramps) they will be replaced with more durable modern equivalents (stainless steel). These will be invisible from the outside.
“All of the proposed works will be done in accordance with good practice by appropriately skilled crafts people using methods and materials appropriate for this important Grade II* listed building.
“Upon completion the appearance of the bell tower will either remain the same or – in the case of the lead roof – will have improved. All of the proposed works will not only have a beneficial effect on the building but also are essential to ensure its survival well into the future.”
