Secretary to rule on fire-repair plan (From Wiltshire Times)

Secretary to rule on fire-repair plan

5:00pm Saturday 23rd February 2008 in Warminster By Victoria Ashford

PLANS to repair the three-storey listed home of Warminster School's headmaster, which was badly damaged by fire last year, will be decided by the Secretary of State.

An application for listed building consent has been made to repair the roof and frontage of Byne House, in Church Street, after the building was devastated by a blaze in July.

Much of the home, which was built in 1755, was left in ruins following an incident in which more than 50 firefighters from across the county attended.

If consent is granted it would see fire damaged interiors replaced, as well as repairs to the roof and frontage.

Building work would also see alterations to part of the first floor and a second floor bathroom destroyed to form an ensuite.

Martin Priestley, the headmaster of Warminster School since 2006, has had to live in rented accommodation since his home went up in flames.