Alvaston
Signs that 'unsafe' listed Alvaston cottage could be repaired as planning application submitted
The 500-year-old cottage needs extensive repair work to make it safe
Zena HawleyAgenda editor
The listed cottage could soon be repaired and its thatch revealed once more
A 500-year-old former thatched property in a Derby suburb could soon be restored to its former glory after a planning application for the listed building was submitted to the city council.
A court order was issued to Harold Burnett, elderly owner of "unsafe" Grade II-listed 3 Church Street, Alvaston, giving him 36 weeks to carry out repairs to the building.
The civil order, issued at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court in April, said that Mr Burnett, 86, had to "undertake remedial works to the property in order to render it safe".
The work needed includes removal of corrugated asbestos sheets from the roof, which are believed to be put on top of the thatch more than 70 years ago during the Second World War. The building also needs the installation internally of four tie-bars, steel straps, plates and supports to stop the outward spread of the walls and eaves and save it from collapse.
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Problems with the historic building were highlighted in 2014 following a structural survey ordered by the city council because of safety concerns.
Residents have been unhappy that buses have been travelling through the one-way system
This led to scaffolding being put up on one side of it and temporary traffic lights installed reducing the carriageway to one lane along the length of the building more than two years ago.
Local residents have been complaining about the situation and canvassing councillors to get something done about the traffic, especially buses, which is being forced close to a narrow pavement used by parents and children on their way to and from school because of the scaffolding.
Mr Burnett has not contested the civil order but through his solicitor he did say that he did not consider unsafe.
The family has been working with the council's conservation team, which will give help seeking the listed building consent that is needed to carry out the work.
Work needs to begin by September 7 and be completed by November 30, 2017.
It has been estimated that around £100,000 has been spent so far hiring the scaffolding and lights, as well as incurring costs for legal expenses and structural engineering services.
Scaffolding has been up at the cottage for more than two years
In December 2016, the council said that Mr Burnett had agreed to make the building safe but no timescale had been given for the work. As nothing further had happened, the council decided to apply to court for the order.
Ward councillor Alan Graves said that he was pleased action was being taken over the property.
He said: "I have received many complaints about the building and a public meeting was held earlier this year. I am convinced the local residents will be enormously happy that there is some movement. As the local councillor I am relieved that this means the time for removing the traffic lights is a step closer."
The 17-room cottage has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and two kitchens. Two families once shared the cottage, which is a cruck house – a phrase relating to the curved timbers used in its construction.
Derby City Council