A boarded up Shanklin summerhouse dating back to the 17th century could be turned into a home.
Mr and Mrs Hook have applied to the Isle of Wight council to convert Shanklin Manor’s summerhouse, said to have been used as a meeting place by Jacobite rebels in the 1700s, into a residential unit with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge area and a bathroom.
Convert Summerhouse into retirement home
The couple are owners of a ground floor flat within Shanklin Manor, which is on Manor Road, and would like to turn The Summerhouse into their retirement home, according to their proposal’s Design and Access Statement.
The conversion would include an extension at the rear of the property to house a second bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, while the its upper ground floor would be turned into a lounge area.
Grade II listed building
Given The Summerhouse is a Grade II listed building, the Hooks have applied for both planning (24/01485/FUL) and listed building consent (24/01486/LBC).
The construction, also known as ‘The Bothy’, is attached to a large Grade II listed wall.
Listed buildings are considered to be nationally important due to their special architectural or historic interest and have additional legal safeguards within the planning system.
Grade II buildings account for roughly 92 per cent of all listed buildings, according to historic environment public body Historic England.
Present use is extremely limited
The application’s Design and Access Statement has stated,
“The Summerhouse is an undoubtedly unusual building in a beautiful setting, but at present, the use is extremely limited.
“Considering the options available alongside the listing, location, proximity to trees and badgers together with the existing physical size means that it can’t be used for a straightforward conversion as it stands at present, but without a defined use, there is little else that can be done with it, other than boarding the windows and doors to prevent further vandalism.
“The proposal to convert the existing building and extend to the rear will provide a purpose to The Summerhouse.
This will ensure that both the building plus the adjoining listed wall continues to have a sustainable future, with its history and importance kept, the area maintained and the building enjoyed by future generations, rather than become a neglected building that passes the point of reasonable repair.”
The Hooks’ application has however encountered two objections submitted to the council.
Riley: View diminished by the sight of a new dwelling
Shanklin Manor resident Mike Riley said,
“I object to the impact that the conversion would have on the setting of Shanklin Manor which, as a consequence, would have negative effects on the historic garden wall, the Bothy which, I believe, is a listed building and the vista that the residents of the Manor currently enjoy which would be diminished by the sight of a new dwelling especially the lighting at night.”
Flint: Concerned about seeing the new building behind the wall
Fellow resident Susan Flint echoed Riley’s concerns,
“My main objection is the affect on the character of the area which I understand is part of Shanklin Conservation Area and the effect on the setting of Shanklin Manor.
“We look directly out on the bothy and we are concerned we would be likely to be able to see the new building behind the wall or at least any lights from the building.”
A previous proposal to convert The Summerhouse was rejected by the council in 2016 due to its “detrimental impact” on the listed building and wall.
View the plans
The public consultation runs until Friday 1st November 2024.
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (24/01485/FUL)
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
