THE crumbling and derelict service wing of a stately home has been saved from ruin and can now be restored to its former glory.
The grade one listed service wing of Croome Court, near High Green, Upton-upon-Severn, was bought and saved following joint action by the National Trust, English Heritage, Malvern Hills District Council and Croome Heritage Trust.
The building, dubbed the Red Wing, is attached to the Georgian mansion house of Croome Court, leased by the National Trust and owned by the Croome Heritage Trust.
Built in the 1750s of red brick, it was used as the servants’ quarters, kitchens and offices. By the late 20th century, the Red Wing had been left empty and its condition has deteriorated rapidly over the last decade.
Floors and much of the roof have fallen through, rain and wind flow into the building, vegetation grows out of the walls and in through the windows, staircases have collapsed and the stone and brickwork have decayed.
Its decline has been so severe that it is in the highest priority category on English Heritage’s At Risk Register and in the worst condition of any grade one listed building in Worcestershire and across the West Midlands.
Malvern Hills District Council, assisted by English Heritage, had resolved to serve a compulsory purchase order to acquire the Red Wing, but before this could be served the owner accepted an offer from the Croome Heritage Trust to buy it. The National Trust now leases the building and is starting to plan its extensive repair work.
Michael Smith, National Trust property manager for Croome, said: “We have been acutely concerned about the Red Wing for some time, not just because of its close proximity to Croome Court, a building which we are trying to restore, but also because it is a vastly important and integral part of Croome’s history which was in danger of being lost forever.
“We’re so pleased and relieved that we are finally able to act to save the Red Wing from further collapse.”
For more information about Croome, call 01905 371006 or visit the website nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-croome.
Follow Croome on Twitter @NTCroome.
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