Plans to overhaul a vast country estate used for wartime intelligence have been submitted to the council.
Cherrilow Limited has submitted a listed building application for the Fawley Court estate, on Marlow Road, in Henley-on-Thames.
The property is described as a “religious retreat and conference centre” in council documents – but described elsewhere as “a country house, with large mixed-use grounds standing on the west bank of the River Thames”.
The plans
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Fawley Court is understood to have been constructed circa 1694 and designed by English architect, Sir Christopher Wren.
It was also used for military intelligence during World War Two.
It is “undergoing an extensive programme of restoration following years of neglect”.
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Plans detail the ‘restoration of the Grade II Listed riding school, Grade II Listed chapel, dairy and service courtyards, and a clock and water tower’.
It also mentions the ‘construction of a new estate office, staff and guest accommodation, and the demolition of existing derelict structures’.
A swimming pool and gym are also mentioned.
“This application seeks the reinstatement of the riding school and renovation and redevelopment of the existing service courtyards and surrounding buildings,” a planning statement reads.
“The existing courtyard complex is predominately derelict and the estate lacks in appropriate servicing facilities.”
It adds: “The restoration programme is intended to focus the future use of Fawley Court on high quality conferences, capitalising on the estate’s attractive location and accessibility west of London.”
The applicant is now awaiting a decision from Bucks Council.
Picture credit: big-ashb (via Wikimedia Commons)
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