Anyone who expressed their support for the retention of Couthy Butts, the last remaining Georgian workers cottages on the Island, will probably have received a letter from owners, Brian and Sabrie Harvey by now.
As readers will know, when we heard about planning officers recommendation to demolish Couthy Butts, we visited the site videoing and photographing it, as well spending considerable time interviewing the applicants which we broadcast on VentnorBlog last year.
After the Planning Committee in June refused permission to retain the cottages and officers slapped an enforcement notice for demolition on the owners, they sought advice from planning consultants and have now submitted a new application to retain the cottages and complete the work to make them habitable for their shepherds.
The letter sent out to by the Harveys states that
The (Council’s) Conservation Officer has agreed that there is a lot of historical/architectural value in the building. To this end he has informed our agent that he does not want to see the building demolished.
In his report, available in the comments section on Planning Application TCP/13560/E, Conservation Officer David Booth does go on to finish however,
Whilst it is considered that there would be some merit in retaining all or part of the structure as an historic record, any further restoration of the building would however have a greater impact on the historic remains and it is inevitable that much of the structure would have to be rebuilt.
From our reading, although he supports retention of the buildings, it’s not clear whether he’ll support making the buildings habitable again unless there is a proven need for an agricultural worker to live in the location.
Not sure what to make of that at the moment, but in the meantime if you wish to join The Georgian Society and Save Britain’s Heritage (amongst others) in supporting this application for retention of the cottages, send your comments to the Planning Department by end of Friday 6th February 2009.
You can comment online at iwight.com or in writing to
Mr R Chick
Planning Office
Seaclose Offices
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1UD
