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Extra repairs approved at historic mansion

Chris CaulfieldLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageGoogle A Grade II* listed Victorian gothic mansion stands in gardens. The building features ornate arched windows.Google
The leaking roof of 19th century Pippbrook House in Dorking is being fixed as part of a restoration project

Additional repair work on the roof of a Grade II* listed Victorian mansion has been approved after structural problems were uncovered during an ongoing £1.6m restoration project.

Mole Valley District Council signed off on plans in June last year to fix the leaky roof of Pippbrook House in Dorking with the cabinet member for leisure and community assets saying it had a moral obligation to carry out the work.

During repairs to five chimneys, it was discovered a sixth was in a similarly poor condition and needed work.

The decision was made to undertake work to dismantle and rebuild the west wing's sixth chimney stack with the intention of obtaining planning permission approval at a later date.

News imageMole Valley District Council A large building is covered by scaffolding. Some of the scaffolding is wrapped in protective sheeting. A white van is parked in front,Mole Valley District Council
Work to restore the building was signed off by the council last year

Council officers told a meeting in July the additional chimney works "preserve the architectural integrity, character and significance of the listed building", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Surrey County Council's heritage officer raised no objections.

It said although the loss of the historic fabric constitutes harm, it is outweighed by the need to ensure that the building remains safe, watertight and capable of long-term viable use.

Councillor Simon Budd said he had recently visited the site and those who have done the work "should be proud of themselves and this council should be proud of itself for the way it's been done".

Pippbrook House was built as a family home in 1856 by noted Victorian architect George Gilbert Scott.

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