The iconic Erwarton Hall gatehouse house has been given a Grade 1 protected status by Historic England.

An ornamental gatehouse, officially in the Parish of Erwarton, the gatehouse was constructed around 1549 and completed in an English Renaissance style.

Historic England upgraded the gatehouse's status last month (December 2020) after a fresh inspection due to its architectural and historic interest and relationship to the Grade 11* listed Erwarton Hall.

The owners of Erwarton Hall told Nub News they were 'delighted but not surprised' at the listing.

"We felt it had been overlooked and deserved a better grading," said Mr Kyke. "This is a signal and little reminder of why this environment we are in should be preserved and not encroached upon.

"More is lost than gained in compromising the environment by developing buildings nearby."

An application has been made to Babergh's planning department to convert some farm buildings on a site next to Erwarton Hall to build houses. (details here...)

Historic England's reason for the Grade 1 status described the Gatehouse is an outstanding early example in England of Renaissance architecture applied to a gatehouse;

• for its intact form, having undergone very little alteration since 1549;

• for its role commemorating the death of Sir Philip Calthorpe, uncle to Anne Boleyn;
• for the impact of its artistic quality on later buildings and artworks;

• for its relationship to Erwarton Hall, Grade II* listed, which was rebuilt 20 years after the completion of the gatehouse, and maintaining an axial relationship with the gateway.

A Historic statement added: "It (the gatehouse) has fulfilled this function largely unaltered despite changing hands several times.

"The estate passed through marriage to Lord Chedworth in the C18, and in 1775 was sold to Charles Berners. Between 1905 and 1976 the Hall was leased to the Admiralty for the use of the Commanders of HMS Ganges, a training establishment based at Shotley Gate. It has been in private hands since the navy's departure."

Go here for more information on Historic England listing.