Proposal to demolish Chichester house 'fire damaged beyond repair' is rejected

By Sam Morton
Published 25th Mar 2019, 15:56 BST
Updated 25th Mar 2019, 17:01 BST
Fire at Walnut Tree Cottage in October, 2016Fire at Walnut Tree Cottage in October, 2016
Fire at Walnut Tree Cottage in October, 2016
The proposed demolition of a 'designated heritage asset' in Boxgrove has been rejected by the district council due to the 'unjustified harm' it would cause to the area.

Mark Sawyer, owner of Walnut Tree Cottage, requested the demolition of the building in Marsh Lane, Crockerhill, after a 'catastrophic' fire in 2016 left the home 'beyond repair'.

The intention, as per the heritage statement commissioned by Mr Sawyer, was to apply for a replacement dwelling that 'takes account of the heritage value of the area and role within the setting of a number of listed buildings'.

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The heritage statement, produced by Murphy Associates, noted that as the building was 'so severely damaged and beyond reasonable repair', the only 'viable option' was to remove it completely.

Walnut Tree Cottage pictured a year before the fireWalnut Tree Cottage pictured a year before the fire
Walnut Tree Cottage pictured a year before the fire

It added: "The roof structure, thatch roof and first floor were completely destroyed. Many of the original timber rafters and the first floor joists had imploded into the ground floor, leaving only the walls and chimney stack at the northern end standing. The ground floor was damaged by the collapsed structure.