Rotten floorboards and a collapsed staircase could be removed from Northwood House.
Work is planned at the Grade II* listed building by the Northwood House Charitable Trust to ensure there is no further deterioration to part of the house.
Essentially derelict for at least the past 30 years
Plans submitted to the Isle of Wight Council by the trust say the north west part of the house, near to the courtyard and main car park, has been unused and essentially derelict for at least the past 30 years.
They say they need to urgently replace a collapsed staircase to the former first floor servants’ quarters to provide staff access and a fire escape route.
On the ground floor, timber flooring and joists have rotted, some having wood worm, compromising a fire exit.
It is intended the floor be replaced.
Essential to the ongoing commercial development
The work, the trust says, is considered essential to the ongoing commercial development and funding of the charity that supports the house and its estate.
The current Northwood House was built between 1837 and 1841, but for many years remained largely unused for its intended purpose of hosting grand events.
A significant financial burden
The trust took over the house from the council in 2010 but had been left a significant financial burden, it says.
The work would be part of a wider programme of ongoing and extensive restorations and enhancements to the estate, although the highest priority was making sure the house is safe and secure.
All the work, the trust says, will be undertaken by qualified carpenters and the work will re-establish the area as a safe and secure entrance and fire escape route.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/00767/LBC, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 12th August.
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
