Contact: Mike Clark, ext 6832

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for a grant of up to £8,943 towards the repairs of the timber frame, roof structure, brickwork and cladding of Lower Lanham Farm barn, Old Alresford. The grant to be paid on satisfactory completion of the works in accordance with the standard conditions and attached conditions, and upon receipt of paid invoices.

2. Reason

2.1 To contribute to the cost of repair of the historic timber frame, roof structure and brickwork of the beam to stabilise its structure. It has been included on the County Council's Buildings at Risk Register for a number of years.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to offer a grant.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. The barn at Lower Lanham Farm is a large C18 nine-bay aisled timber-framed structure on a low brick plinth. It is clad in weatherboarding and has a hipped thatched roof. It is listed Grade II and is a prominent building in the landscape.

8. The barn is in urgent need of repair to the brickwork, timber frame and roof structure before the roof can be rethatched.

9. The estimated cost of the work is £35,026 including VAT but the owner is able to reclaim the VAT element. The County Council is not offering a grant towards rethatching the barn and so is offering a grant of up to £8,943 which represents 30% of the eligible cost.

10. In addition to the standard conditions the following conditions would apply:

(i) no deviation from the submitted specification shall be made without prior agreement from the County Council;

(ii) all scaffolding shall be erected and dismantled with the greatest care to avoid causing any damage whatever to the fabric;

(iii) all brickwork joints to be repointed shall be raked out to a minimum depth of 25 millimetres. No mechanical cutting device shall be used to rake out the joints. New mortar for repointing shall be a lime mortar, the specification to be agreed before works commence; and

(iv) a sample of the tiles to be used should be agreed prior to works commencing.

11. Under Section 57 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 the Council has powers to contribute towards the expenses incurred in the repair or maintenance of a listed building in, or in the vicinity of, Hampshire, or of a building in Hampshire which is not listed but appears to the Council to be of architectural or historic interest.

7168/MC