Clandon Park Restoration Plans Advance, Aiming for “Laid Bare” Presentation

The forthcoming restoration of Clandon Park, a Grade I listed residence severely damaged by a blaze, is intended to present it as a “country house laid bare” as the proposed plans progress. An unintentional fire at the 18th-century property situated near Guildford in 2015 consumed floors and ceilings, obliterating a significant portion of its historical artifacts. While the house’s brick facade and structural shell endured, a planning application detailing the National Trust’s proposed works has now been lodged with the local authority. However, there are demands for more extensive interior restoration of the property, with one detractor labeling the current proposal an “act of barbarism”. The National Trust characterized the undertaking at Clandon Park as “one of the largest and most complex projects the National Trust has ever undertaken”. Their strategy involves weatherproofing the structure, stabilizing its surviving elements, and maintaining its “exposed, laid-bare state,” thereby enabling visitors to “learn from and enjoy the aesthetics of the post-fire condition of the mansion.” Proposed additions include new walkways and staircases on the building’s ground and first floors, alongside the restoration of the Speakers’ Parlour’s plasterwork ceiling and timber panelling, both of which withstood the blaze. Furthermore, a new roof terrace is envisioned, along with a cafe and roof lights designed to illuminate the area. The Restore Trust has previously advocated for the restoration of the mansion’s Marble Hall and other internal areas, asserting that the National Trust ought to be “focused on preserving historic houses.” Francis Terry, a classical architect, cited the restoration efforts at Notre-Dame Cathedral, which suffered fire damage in 2019 and recommenced operations last month, and Uppark house in West Sussex, which was ravaged by a fire in August 1989 before being subsequently restored. He additionally emphasized the employment opportunities that would arise for specialist tradespeople if more extensive restoration work were undertaken at the property. Characterizing the proposals as an “act of barbarism,” he further stated: “Proposing the current design is not a good legacy for either the National Trust or Guildford Borough Council. “History will not remember them kindly.” A spokesperson for the National Trust indicated that over 75,000 individuals and a “huge number of multi-disciplinary experts” were consulted during the development of the plans. They further commented: “We value their constructive and thoughtful input and will continue active dialogues with all these organisations and individuals as the project progresses. “We believe we have found the best way forward for Clandon and the details are presented in our planning application, so we warmly encourage anyone who would like to engage to refer to these.” The council reported that a specific date for the application’s review by the planning committee has not yet been established. For updates, follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Story suggestions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.