Green Light For Regeneration Of Wentworth Woodhouse Stables
Plans for the next stage in the regeneration of Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham have been approved. Rotherham Business News reports that the stables at the historic stately home are set to be converted into a conference and events centre. £5.1m of funding has been secured for the major renovation project.
The work will see derelict Grade I listed buildings brought back into use, with the Riding School converted into a large conference and exhibition centre with a mezzanine floor. There will be on-site catering facilities and overnight accommodation, with retail space and a new bar and restaurant.
Wentworth Woodhouse is considered to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK. The imposing stately home was constructed from 1725 onwards, and has been continually added to over the decades. It was the home of the 1st Marquess of Rockingham before passing to the Fitzwilliam family.
The house stands in 87 acres of gardens and grounds, and the whole site is now owned and maintained by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust. It is undergoing a huge regeneration programme that is expected to last for two decades.
Funding for some of the work has been secured from the Government’s Levelling Up fund. The Trust is committed to investing in the training and education of the younger generation, and to passing on traditional craftwork and building skills. It has already worked extensively with English Heritage to help provide vocational training for young people.
Jen Wall, Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s Skills Development and Learning Officer, said: “We want budding designers and architects of the future to let their imaginations run riot and create something exciting to go in its place. It could be strikingly modern, or influenced by architecture of the past; the choice is theirs.”
She added: “Our challenge celebrates the work of one of Yorkshire’s most respected sons and aims to encourage creativity and career aspirations. The Trust is passionate about helping young people through education and plans to set more design challenges for schools in the future.”
Tony Barton, chairman of Donald Insall Associates, commented: “We are specialist conservation architects and are proud to have worked on some of John Carr’s magnificent buildings, including Wentworth Woodhouse’s roof, pavilions and Camellia House.”
“Wouldn’t it be marvellous if this project inspires only one young person to train as a conservation architect, who works with us in the future, especially on a John Carr building, and follow in the footsteps of our brilliant trainee architects, Emma Chrystie-Lowe and Ryan Farrell, who produced the drawings for the John Carr 300 celebration?”
The overall cost of regenerating the stately home and grounds is expected to be in the region of £130m. It is hoped that the house will eventually be a world class event space and tourist attraction which will also benefit the local community.
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