The Thatched House (1968/9)

Post date: Oct 27, 2013 6:10:14 PM

In The Kent Archives there is a KCC file (reference c/pl/2/AH1- 50/61) detailing the bureaucratic struggle over The Thatched House during 1968 and 1969 following a proposal, dated 19 February 1968, to demolish it and replace with one of a number of schemes, involving 8, 10 or 12 flats. This was received from John Floydd and Cheney, a firm of Folkestone architects, acting for Mr. A.G. Foster. The parties subsequently involved include:

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government, The Historic Buildings Council Committee, The Kent Council for the Protection of Rural England (KCPRE), The Georgian society, The Victorian Society, Malling Rural District Council, and various Kent County Council departments.

The house was listed and KCPRE protested "in the strongest possible terms" that demolition would be "an act of vandalism. " KCC noted that the building had been extended in a totally different style which had led to a patchwork appearance resulting in it not being a building of county-wide importance. It had been converted into flats (5 flats generating £1,365 p.a.) and the surrounding area was growing wild. An inspection report from Foster's architects dated 2 July 1968 states:

"To conclude, I would say that while the building is basically strong enough to stand for many years, so far as the brickwork and foundations are concerned, I consider that a considerable expenditure is necessary to carry out essential repairs and maintenance in order to prevent further deterioration of the timber and roofing elements. The present standards of amenity in the individual flats is meagre in the extreme and the main sanitary and service installation in every flat is in need of total renewal to comply with present day minimal standards."

The Georgian Society, whose secretary Miss Eleanor Murray, writing from Chester Street, London on 15 May 1968 had the correct idea: they were against demolition but noted that "removal of the Victorian kitchen wing rear would enhance the architectural quality of this interesting and unique cottage." It was the solution eventually arrived at, but KCC reaffirmed its decision on 17 July not to make a Building Preservation Order despite pressure from the Ministry of housing and local Government to the contrary.

So on 22nd August 1968 the Minister made his own order against demolition, although only applying to the pre-Victorian part. The following is an extract from the order:

"The Thatched House at Wateringbury is included in a statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest for Malling Rural District ISSUED UNDER SECTION 32 OF THE Town and Country Planning act 1962. The building dates from the early nineteenth century and is a comparatively rare example of a moderate-sized house in the style of a cottage orne or rustic dwelling which was more commonly used for very small houses such as lodges. It has a thatched roof and wide overhanging eaves with gables which form a verandah three sides of the house supported on rustic wooden columns. On the fourth side is an addition made later in the nineteenth century with a tiled roof. The house stands prominently in Wateringbury on the Maidstone-Tunbridge Wells road near the Parish Church and the fine early eighteenth century mansion, Wateringbury Place, and is one of the buildings that makes a valuable contribution to the character of the village.

Notice has been given under section 33 of the Town and Country Planning act 1962 of intention to demolish the thatched House which is at present occupied as five flats. Although suffering from lack of maintenance the property is considered to be in fair structural condition. There does not accordingly seem to be any need to demolish the building because of its condition. The Minister is of the opinion that the architectural and historic interest of the earlier part of the building is such as to justify further consideration being given to the preservation of that part."

A photo of the house by John Piper, a famous photographer and artist, before the demolition can be found on the Tate's web-site at https://www.tate.org.uk/art/archive/items/tga-8728-1-20-230/piper-photograph-of-the-thatched-house-mill-lane-wateringbury-kent