The owners of historic Erwarton Hall were feeling delighted last night after an appeal to put five new houses next to Erwarton Hall has failed.

The bid to overturn Babergh District Council's planning decision to refuse permission for the conversion, repair and extension of existing agricultural buildings to form five dwellings, along with the demolition of existing metal clad barns, made on 22 February (2023) was dismissed by Inspector Jonathon Parsons.

Francis and Christine Kyle, who have owned the Tudor hall, Gatehouse and gardens were thrilled at the decision and now hope the attempts to build a housing development at the neighbouring farmyard have now come to an end.

More than 30 objectors, including Griff Rhys Jones and Lord Deben, along with the Coast & Heaths National Landscapes (AONB), Stour and Orwell Society and ward councillor Derek Davis, spoke out against the proposed scheme as it was contrary to a number of Babergh's planning policies and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The reasons for refusal included the harmful effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the farmyard adjacent to the the setting of Grade II* listed Erwarton Hall and Grade 1 listed Gatehouse, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Natural Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)) and the new resident's accessibility to services and facilities by sustainable transport.

The appellants argued there would be benefits to the economy through construction, associated employment and patronage of local businesses in the builders' trade, and residents financial spend, increasing the vitality and viability of local services and facilities in communities and there would be heritage and landscape benefits through the repair and refurbishment of existing buildings ensuring their future, continued contribution to the character of the site and area.

Mr Parson's decision came after he heard the appeal by JRH Veenbaas at a packed Chelmondiston Village Hall on Thursday January 18, and making site visits to the farmyard and its surroundings including the Grade II hall and its Grade 1 Gatehouse.

Ganges ward councillor Derek Davis said: "This is an eminently sensible conclusion by the Planning Inspectorate which vindicates Babergh's planning officers and committee members initial decisions.

"Erwarton Hall, its Gatehouse and surrounds, including the AONB, are of significant importance, not just to the Shotley peninsula but much wider.

"I hope an acceptable use can be found for the farmyard going forward."

The full appeal decision for application DC/22/05131 can be found here. Using reference: APP/D3505/W/23/3328102

*The Inspector included a summary of Erwarton Hall in his report, which read:

The Grade II listed Erwarton Hall is a grand country house, which is two storey with an attic above. The statutory listing (list entry number 1351638) indicates rebuilding of an earlier building in about 1575 by Sir Philip Parker and partial reconstruction in 1858, with alterations and additions. It is constructed with red brick, a hipped red tiled roof, chimneystacks within the roof, and has two 2 single frontage bays that are two storey with attic gables above, with onehaving a ground floor porch. Fenestration consists of brick and stone 3-light windows with mullions and transoms, with the left frontage bay having windows of 5 lights. To the left of the bay, there is a vertically boarded door and within the frontage, original openings have been blocked off. The porch doorway has 4-centred arch, square head and sunk spandrels and above the doorway is the Parker shield of arms and crest. Internally, there is a plaster ceiling with pendant bosses, an original overmantel with three tiers of short blank arcading, and a late 17th century well staircase with turned balusters, handrail and newel posts.

1. In 1775, Lady Dowager Chedworth sold the Hall and estate to Charles Berners, High Sheriff of Suffolk, and in the early 19th century, the Hall remained in the ownership of the Berners family. The Tithe Map of 1838 records Erwarton Hall as owned by the Reverend Henry Berners, Charles Berners' son, who resided at Woolverstone House to the north. The Hall and farmstead was let and occupied to George Ashford. 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. Since the Royal Navy's departure, the Hall has been in private ownership.
2. The Hall's construction, design, age and purpose as a Tudor country house and occupation by families of significant standing within the community, and its relationship as a country house with the surrounding area, especially through its estate, is of value and importance. It has notable group value with the Gatehouse in that this was built to commemorate Sir Philip Calthorpe's death, Uncle to Anne Boleyn, and father-in-law to Sir Philip Parker. Such architectural, historic and aesthetic qualities result in high significance and special interest.