SNN105460 - Historic Building Appraisal in respect of Edgecote House, Northamptonshire

This report, which has been prepared by Dr Nicholas Doggett, MIFA, IHBC, Director of CgMs Ltd., is submitted in connection with applications for listed building consent to replace the existing lift and install new kitchen fittings in the existing kitchen at Edgcote House, a Grade I listed country house near Banbury. The purpose of this appraisal, which is based on a through investigation of the parts of the building affected by these proposals, is to make an assessment of the architectural and historic value of these elements and to form an appraisal of the significance in the context of the listed building as a whole. The information contained in this report also forms important background to a separate Impact Assessment, which analyses the conservation impacts of the proposals for the alterations and aims to provide them with a cogent and sustainable justification. This two-stage approach is now regarded as standard good practice when dealing with listed buildings and accords with the advice contained in paragraph 3.4 of PPG15 – Planning and the Historic Environment, which rightly places the onus on applicants to demonstrate why their proposals are ‘desirable or necessary’ and requires them to ‘provide the local planning authority with full information, to enable them to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting.