Trowbridge landmark building at the centre of dispute

Ashford Homes (South Western) Ltd is currently restoring and renovating the Grade II* listed building, converting the main house into four apartments and building 16 new homes in the old orchard on the 1.65-acre site.

Courtfield House is a former clothier's house built around 1754 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.

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.”

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Now, a Trowbridge town councillor hit out at the development, claiming that the treatment of the listed, “at risk” building has likely doomed its interior.

Speaking with the Wiltshire Times, Cllr Glyn Bridges said the way the building has been treated is “very sad”.

He said: “The building was left completely uncovered for two winters. It’s an absolute disgrace.

“Any other building would be kept completely covered up. But with this one all we’re going to be left with is bits of the four walls.”

Cllr Bridges said that he has been left despairing the future of the structure and what may come of attempts to preserve it.

He continued: “It’ll be finished and roofed, but it won’t be the same. The interior will have gone, I’m certain of that.”

(Image: Ashford Homes) Ashford Homes, however, who recently scooped the Best Medium Volume New Housing Development award at the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2024 Grand Finals, state works on the building have followed developer guidelines to the book.

Managing director Stuart Morgan said: “Previous to our involvement, Trowbridge Town Council had an option to buy the building for free and turn it in to a museum but they did not proceed with the purchase. Subsequently the building escalated into decay.

“However, we bought the building and its grounds in 2017 and once we were in ownership we set about obtaining planning permission with our chosen architect who has great experience in dealing with listed buildings.

“Planning permission was submitted in 2018 and took over 4 years to achieve which was finally issued in October 2022. The planning process has a strict consultation process that includes conservation, highways, drainage, ecology, archaeology etc. and with listed buildings it included English Heritage.

 “Listed building refurbishment projects are extremely complex and one that necessitates close liaison with both the Council’s conservation team and Historic England throughout the restoration to agree a step-by-step approach to the works.

“Through strict liaison with the authorities, we were finally able to safely access the building in May 2024, and large amounts of broken asbestos were discovered in the basement.

“This required testing and extensive discussions with heritage architects, engineers, specialist contractors, and statutory bodies, to agree how to safely access the basement to facilitate its removal.

“Works are progressing in close consultation with Wiltshire Council’s Conservation Officers and Historic England as required under the conditions of the listed building consent.

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“The roof needed to be removed to enable us to assess its structural condition and to agree those elements can remain, which require remedial strengthening, and which require replacing.

“Ensuring that this work is undertaken safely and with due care to the listed building does of course take time and necessitates the use of specialist contractors, but we look forward to ensuring that the building is made watertight as soon as possible.

“It is in ours and everyone’s interest to complete the building as quickly as possible and be proud of a beautiful development.

“With regard to the proximity of the new build homes to the listed building, this was obviously approved under the planning permission and agreed with the Council and English Heritage.”