The sensitive renovation of RAF Bentley Priory, one of the most important buildings associated with the Battle of Britain and the Second World War, came a step closer last night; with City & Country Group having been granted further planning permission to convert Building 7, a former accommodation block, which sits in the grounds of the 57-acre Grade II* Listed estate, into five striking houses. Planning approval was also granted for the retention of Building 267, to be converted into seven apartments, as well as four newly proposed apartments in the Dining Room Block. Working in partnership, leading housebuilder Barratt Homes is also creating 89 luxury homes within the parkland grounds at the prestigious site.
City & Country Group, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, who will be creating eight exclusive apartments in the historically significant 17th century mansion house, are also responsible for the delivery of a museum for the Battle of Britain Trust, under plans developed by the Bentley Priory Trust.
Helen Moore, Residential Managing Director at City & Country Group, said: “We are delighted with last night’s decision by Harrow Council to approve our latest proposals to convert two former accommodation blocks and the Dining Room into a selection of mews houses and apartments, all of which will enhance the setting of the iconic mansion building and its grounds. The existing consent on Building 7 would have seen much of the historic fabric of the late 19th century building lost, whereas we intend to respect the historic room sizes and preserve period features such as cornices, architraves, doors and panelling. We will be using our skills and expertise to carefully add a new layer of history through the restoration and conversion of these buildings, and transform them into a collection of aspirational homes.
“I would like to personally thank Harrow Council, English Heritage and the Bentley Priory Trust, along with other local groups and residents who supported our proposals. Work is already well underway to restore the iconic mansion house building and its grounds, and we believe the successful delivery of these revised proposals will lead to an even more vibrant and successful conversion of these important heritage assets. We will now immediately set about the challenging but rewarding task of restoring these buildings, to realise our complete vision and to deliver their long-term and beneficial future use.”
The mansion house has been home to several notable residents during its lifetime including Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, Queen Consort of William IV and John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn. Distinguished visitors include Sir Walter Scott, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Winston Churchill.
City & Country Group will also reinstate and restore the Grade II Registered Italian Gardens and the nineteenth century parterre to the south of the mansion, which will afford serene and far-reaching views across north London, with St Paul’s Cathedral visible in the distance.
In order to assist future generations in acknowledging and recognising the sacrifices made, the museum, which is expected to open in 2012, will interpret the history of the site, guarantee public access to the most significant areas of mansion and create a valued educational resource for visitors.