We are delighted that planning permission and listed building consent have been granted for the restoration of Brackley Town Hall.
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the project a £2.2m grant last August and since then the team has been busy behind the scenes preparing for the start of the physical works. Since appointment in January the design team have been working hard to develop the designs in more detail and submitted the planning and listed building applications in March 2016.
Historic England (previously English Heritage) commented that ‘The project team is to be commended on its thorough and conservation-led approach, its willingness to take on board preapplication advice from us and your authority’s conservation officer, and its creative approach to design solutions. In the view of Historic England, the proposals represent an overall enhancement to the significance of Brackley Town Hall, and will bring considerable public benefits from a heritage perspective.’
This is fantastic news for the project and means that the project team can now progress with the appointment of a contractor to deliver the restoration. Over the course of the summer a number of specialist surveys will take place and the Town Hall will be emptied ready for the main works to start on site in the autumn.
There will be opportunities to get involved with the project; if you would like more information on how you can get involved or to learn more please contact Sally Munday-Webb via email at activities@brackleynorthants-tc.gov.uk or telephone on 01280 702441 or sign up to the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BrackleyTownHallRestoration. The project team will also be posting lots of photographs and information online about the surveys being carried out.
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About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery
About Brackley Town Hall restoration project
The Georgian Town Hall building in Brackley, Northamptonshire is set to be fully restored, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
A £2,199,400 grant has been awarded by HLF to Brackley Town Council to repair and upgrade the ‘vulnerable’ building as a rejuvenated community venue.
The historic Town Hall was built between 1704 and 1707 by the 4th Earl of Bridgewater Scroop Egerton, then Lord of the Manor of Brackley. It was constructed to unite the previously separate villages of lower and upper Brackley and was originally used as a place to trade wool and as a manorial court.
Now highlighted as vulnerable due to its current poor condition, it is in need of significant repair and improvement.
This new National Lottery investment will pay for repairs to the stonework, roof and clock tower along with installation of new facilities including toilets, new kitchen and a lift. The restoration of the Grade II* listed building is being backed by experts at the Georgian Group and Historic England. The Lottery funding will be matched by £500,000 from both South Northamptonshire Council and Brackley Town Council itself.
Please contact Linda Carter at Brackley Town Council for further information: town.clerk@brackleynorthants-tc.gov.uk
