Work is progressing to convert historic Courtfield House in Trowbridge

Ashford Homes (South Western) Ltd is currently restoring and renovating the Grade II* listed Courtfield House in Polebarn Road.

The Bradford on Avon-based housing developer is converting the main house into four apartments and building 16 new homes in the old orchard on the 1.65-acre site.

Courtfield House under development. Photo: Trevor Porter 70319-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Tom Griffiths, the firm’s development director, said: “We are pleased to confirm that the works to restore Courtfield House have commenced in close consultation with Wiltshire Council’s Conservation Team and Historic England.

“The building is one of the oldest in Trowbridge and is of great historical significance to the county town as befits its Grade II* listed status.

An overview of the Ashford Homes development at Courtfield House and Courtfield Gardens. (Image: Ashford Homes)

“The roof is currently being removed, and the timbers catalogued and classified, which will afford safe access into the building to allow for further assessment and the compilation of a full schedule of works.

“Our site team are pleased that the works have captured the interest of locals who have expressed their delight that the building is being brought back to life.

“All being well, we expect the restoration works to complete in line with the newbuild part of the scheme in late summer 2024.”

Courtfield House under development. Photo: Trevor Porter 70319-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Courtfield House is a former clothier's house built c1754 with an earlier C17 building to the rear. The house was left vacant after being used as a preparatory school that closed in April 2012.

Adjoining the house is a relatively unaltered wool store, which was subject to vandalism and two arson attacks last year.

Having been empty for several years, Courtfield House was falling into disrepair and was placed on Historic England’s “at-risk” register.

Historic England said: “The roof structure of the house was in poor condition with a collapsing valley gutter.”

Ashford Homes acquired the property in April 2016 to convert the main house to residential units with new build residential in the grounds. Planning permission was granted May 2022 subject to a S106 Agreement.

Mr Griffiths added: “Our thanks go to our experienced consultant team, notably Planning Sphere and BBA Architects, amongst many others, for their hard work and dedication over the past four years.

“We would also like to convey our appreciation to Wiltshire Council’s planning team who have worked with us to refine the proposals on what is a complex and heavily constrained site in the centre of the county town.”