a new life THE DETAILED MASTERPLAN 2018 a new life THE MASTERPLAN 2018 Wentworth Woodhouse Wentworth Rotherham S62 7TQ 01226 351161 01226 749639 [email protected] @Wentworth_House wentworth.woodhouse.10 Charity Number 01155374 wentworth_woodhouse Charity Number 01155374 OUR MISSION The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust is committed to delivering an innovative programme of mixed-use regeneration at Wentworth Woodhouse. Using only the highest standards of conservation workmanship, the Trust will create a fully inclusive world class visitor offer of exceptional quality whilst providing training, work experience and job opportunities for the communities of South Yorkshire. 02 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 03 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR I consider it a great privilege and honour to Chair the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, not because the house is one of the finest and grandest in the country, nor because it is arguably the greatest restoration project for a generation. It is a privilege because it allows me to work with, to meet and to engage with staff and volunteers who never fail to impress me with their dedication to the task in hand and their determination of spirit. On behalf of the Board of Trustees I thank you all. This review references the “small but dedicated masterplanning team” that worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to deliver the full masterplan, but the reality is that over 1500 people have contributed to this process in some way. Experienced site operators and management teams, our neighbours, members of the South Yorkshire community, our stakeholders. Their help, input, advice and assistance in the masterplanning process has proved invaluable and enabled the Trustees to consider a variety of options and make informed decisions. The Trust is truly blessed to have so many people who want to see us succeed and who want to help us. But we need more, including funders if we are to accomplish our mission. The Masterplan is the start of this exciting journey. We truly believe that this project is a catalyst for change for the people whose lives we touch in some way. The communities we serve, our staff, volunteers, our visitors and supporters. JULIE A KENNY cbe dl chair of wentworth woodhouse preservation trust a new life THE MASTERPLAN 2018 04 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 05 introduction Wentworth Woodhouse, once home to the Fitzwilliam family, is one of the great houses of England, a mighty work of architecture, a palace of beauty and art and for 300 years both a political power-house and the hub of social and economic life across a swathe of South Yorkshire. It was once as revered as Chatsworth, Blenheim and Stowe. 4.3.22. The Council recognises the long- term need to conserve the historic parkland setting of Wentworth Woodhouse and is sympathetic to proposals of an appropriate scale and nature to develop the House to secure its long-term future, subject to the necessary listed building consents and planning permissions. This is reflected in Objective 8 and Policies CS23 Valuing the Historic Environment and CS11 Tourism and the Visitor Economy. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Local Plan Core Strategy 2014 06 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 07 name brief description grade Circular Garden Wall with railings encircling pool with statue, 19th century. Grade 1 I Ha-ha and north Ha-ha forming northern boundary of the gardens of Wentworth Today, if the name Wentworth Woodhouse is recognised Grade 1 I boundary Woodhouse west front, c. 18th century at all, it is only for its extraordinary length. How is it that the reputation of this great national treasure has diminished to a statistic? Started 1766 and in use by 1779, riding school completed 1789 (Wragg); converted to present use c. 1950. By John Carr of York The answer is in one word: Coal. Stables Grade 1 for Charles Wentworth, 2nd Marquis of Rockingham; completed Wentworth Woodhouse was in the heart of the Yorkshire coal field and in 1947 the for his nephew the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. Government decreed that coal should be mined to within a hundred yards of the house in great open pits. Started 1766 and in use by 1779, riding school completed 1789 (Wragg); converted to present use c. 1950. By John Carr of York Riding School Grade 1 From that moment, the long process of decline set in. for Charles Wentworth, 2nd Marquis of Rockingham; completed for his nephew the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. Over the following decades the house was leased to the Local Authority, occupied as a college and saw most of its contents dispersed. In 1989 it was sold, and since then successive owners Late 18th century or early 19th century. T shaped range of ancillary have been unable to keep pace with its restoration and maintenance. Mews Court Grade 1 I buildings to Stable Block, late 18th and 19th century. Today, this magnificent house, its beautiful grounds and great stable complex are in a critical state of decay. Camellia House. Early 19th century incorporating mid 18th century Camellia House Grade 1 I* part to rear. The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust Ornamental temple. Possibly as early as 1735. By Henry Flitcroft Ionic Temple Grade 1 I* (WWPT) was established in 2014 with the overarching (engraving). purpose of securing the future of Wentworth Woodhouse Retaining wall with parapet and gateway. Commenced c. 1735 for the benefit of the nation. South Terrace by Ralph Tunnicliffe for Thomas Watson Wentworth, some later Grade 1 I rebuilding. In particular, the Trust was faced with the challenges of repairing and developing the house and grounds on a long-term sustainable basis with extensive public opening, and finding sustainable and sympathetic uses for those parts of the property which would not be open to the public Giant urn approximately 100 metres to south-south-west of Punchbowl south wing of Wentworth Woodhouse (west front). Grade 1 I and for raising funds, initially for acquisition which took place in 2017, and subsequently, for Mid-late 18th century. repairs and development. Fountain in Pool and fountain. Probably c. 1775 (contemporary with completion Grade 1 I The enormity of the challenge should not Stables Court stages of Stable Block), later repairs. be underestimated. Pair of cast iron urns at south end of Wentworth Woodhouse Cast iron urns Grade 1 I (west front). Garden ornaments. Early 19th century. name brief description grade Pair of cast-iron urns at north end of Wentworth Woodhouse Cast iron urns Grade 1 I Country mansion, c. 17th century core; remodelled from c. (west front). Early 19th century. wentworth 1724-28 to c. 1734 to form west front; east front commenced Grade 1 woodhouse immediately and largely completed in the next two decades; Garden Group of 6 garden urns lanking main steps to Wentworth Grade 1 I service wings heightened late 18th century. ornaments Woodhouse (west front). Late 18th century. Gateway with attached plinth wall and ironwork screen. Group of 6 garden urns set along west edge of path South Gate Garden immediately in front of Wentworth Woodhouse (west front). Grade 1 I and Screen Wall Gateway c. 1630; reixed and screen added probably in mid Grade 1 I* ornaments of Chapel Court 18th century. Late 18th century. 08 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST MASTERPLAN 2018 09 name brief description grade Sundial base Sundial base at eastern end of south terrace. Mid-18th century. Grade 1 I Set of six lamp-standards with intermediate bollards to east front Lamp standards Grade 1 I It was clear to Trustees that a three-pronged of Wentworth Woodhouse. Early-mid 19th century. approach was required: Sundial base Sundial base at mid-point of south terrace. Mid-18th century. Grade 1 I Pair of gate piers approximately 60 metres to north-east of north Gate piers pavilion of Wentworth Woodhouse (east front). Early-mid 19th Grade 1 I century. 1 2 3 Pair of ornamental vases lanking main avenue to Wentworth Garden Woodhouse west front, approximately 130 metres west of house. Grade 1 I First, to establish a The capital works The Green Book Appraisal ornaments Late 17th or early 18th century. successful business on programme of urgent (2017), a requirement of the site, to produce an repairs needed to start the Chancellor’s grant, Gardens of the 18th and 19th century and a park remodelled by immediate income to before the winter weather examined the strategic, Gardens and Humphry Repton in the early 1790s, with a set of notable early to allow the Trust to function added to the decline. economic, commercial Grade 1 I* parkland mid-18th century monuments and follies within and around the and grow. Trustees had and financial case for The programme was split edge of the park. raised the money for the investment. However, a into 3 phases, the first purchase, but there were more detailed Masterplan of which is now almost no funds for the day-to-day was required, setting complete and the second operation. out the long-term vision well underway. Tendering for the site. The public, Thanks to seed-funding in for the third and largest Since the formation of the Trust tremendous progress funders, supporters and the form of grants from phase is currently in the communities of South has been made. It has worked closely with the the National Trust, the progress and work is due Yorkshire all needed Heritage Lottery Fund and to commence in November Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and to understand the very the Architectural Heritage 2018.