  |
|||||||
|
      |
|
 Astley Castle Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Our plans for Astley Castle
With such nationally significant associations, it is unthinkable that Astley Castle should be allowed to disappear. Landmark had already tried to save Astley Castle. In the 1990s, numerous schemes were drawn up that tried to conserve and convert the whole remaining structure. It was with great regret that in 2001 Landmark realised that the funding for such a complete restoration would not be forthcoming and so had to withdraw. However, we did not forget about Astley's magical and very important site. In 2005, as part of Landmark's 40th anniversary celebrations, our thoughts turned again to the conundrum that is Astley Castle. 2007's initiative is the result of the work done since. The castle itself has continued to deteriorate. It is clear to everyone who looked at it that unless action was taken very soon, there would be nothing left to save. Learning from its earlier involvement, Landmark has decided to explore an entirely new approach, accepting that some of the fabric of the castle had now passed beyond repair.
At the end of 2006, 12 different architectural practices were invited to submit designs for a new 21st century Landmark that had to sit within the footprint of the existing building. All 12 architects took up the challenge and we were delighted to receive a very wide range of solutions. The brief required that the most important parts of the surviving fabric were to be retained but those parts that were either of lesser importance, or simply too decayed to retain, would be dismantled and removed.
We believe that the winning scheme, Witherford Watson Mann (WWM) does just this, retaining Astley's history whilst allowing the site to generate an income for its future maintenance. WWM deliberately follow a 'middle way' in their interventions - adopting neither conservative repair in a traditional manner, nor conscientiously modern structures. Instead they strive to allow old and new to work together to achieve a harmonious whole.
The winning entry by architects Witherford Watson & Mann proposes two storey accommodation in the oldest part of the Castle. A large, light living room with kitchen, dining and sitting areas will be created on the upper floor with the best views south to St Mary's Church and west across the historic parkland. On the ground floor, the scheme allows for four bedrooms and two bathrooms, together with a generous entrance hall with an open fire that can also serve as an additional sitting area. Two of the bedrooms are cleverly placed between the existing west wall of the Castle and the outer curtain wall where it best survives, allowing the old windows in the curtain wall to be reused. The stairs occupy the position of the old 'vice' tower (by now largely collapsed), and a simple lift will be incorporated to ensure everyone can enjoy the upper floor.
To view the Astley Castle floor plans, please click here.
The front part of the Castle will be partially roofed to create an 'outer court'. WWM have devised their scheme with a well known firm of structural engineers, Price & Myers, and it both protects all the wall heads from the weather and uses finely made concrete beams to tie the front and back walls together, essential to ensure their long term survival. It would have been too expensive to bring this section back into habitable use and so the walls will only be gently repaired creating the impression on approaching the front elevation that Astley might still be only a ruin. But ?hidden' inside is an elegant, comfortable, modern house that gives new life to the Castle and is just the latest phase in over 800 years of changes and alterations.
So this winning scheme retains as much of the most important historic fabric as possible whilst still allowing visitors to occupy the Castle rather than merely look at it. There will be wonderful views of St Mary's Church and the Gothic Coach House from the south facing glass fronted wall and balcony of the upstairs living area. It is hoped that low key repairs will also be carried out to the Coach House and sheds behind it as part of the overall project.
This modern building would be intended as a Landmark for the future, available to stay in and so allowing the site to generate income to help with its maintenance. The new structure would help consolidate some of the most important and earliest parts of the castle. Other parts are now so far decayed that there is no option but to reduce them to a mere footprint. However, the bulk of the surviving walls would remain and the overall history of the site be made known to the wider public through regular Open Days and through an interpretation trail around the wider setting.
There is of course an enormous challenge ahead to raise the funding for this ambitious project. Helpful and encouraging discussions have been held with English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and North Warwickshire Borough Council, as well as the Arbury Estate. A project of this scale was very unlikely to be feasible without support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and in December 2007 we submitted an application for £1.47 million to the HLF.
Astley Castle is a site of national importance that deserves to survive for centuries more. Its state of dereliction makes this an ambitious project, and we need your help and support to make it possible. We also welcome your comments, so please let us know your reactions to our proposals by clicking on the links below.
We welcome your views on any aspect of our plans and it will be very helpful to know your opinion by emailing astleycastle@landmarktrust.org.uk or by completing the questionnaire.
Visit our Latest news section for updates on the project. |
|
