Housewarming on the way as Dudmaston Hall gets new heating system

The heritage guardians had applied to Shropshire Council for listed building consent for the work to install the system at Dudmaston Hall, near Bridgnorth.

The work will include new radiators and pipework and will serve parts of the building that are not currently heated.

The building is a Grade II* listed Queen Anne mansion and has a registered park and garden.

A report from Shropshire Council planning officer Becky Jones, confirmed that listed building consent for the work had been approved.

The report explains how the work will mean the heating system has a reduced impact on the artwork it houses.

Disturbance

She said: "The installation will involve some disturbance to historic fabric but this has been kept to a minimum and existing routes used where possible.

"New pipework with use existing boxing or will be boxed in to match existing with high quality joinery.

"Modern simple radiators are proposed to complement the gallery spaces. The proposed new radiators will be run on a climate controlled system which will not only reduce impact upon the artwork but will also be beneficial to the building and its users to ensure an appropriate relative humidity."

The application had accepted that the installation work will cause “some harm”, but added, “these are seen as minimal and overall the proposals are seen to improve the significance of the heritage asset”.

The plans will see radiators fitted in circulation areas, offices, and galleries.

The application stated: “The work is to extend the existing heating system into areas previously not heated with a permanent heating system. The works are to include the installation of radiators and all associated pipework.

“The work will include lifting and re-instating historic floorboards for access, penetrating through historic walls and installation of heat emitters/radiators.”

Impact

The National Trust said that the impact of the work had been well thought through.

It said: “The curator, conservator, building surveyor and property staff have carefully consider the impact of the design, appearance and locations of the proposed radiators that are to be installed. It was considered that these should not be intrusive and it would a benefit if they reflected the modern look of the galleries and hallways.

“The group also considered the impact of any associated pipe work which if cannot be installed within existing boxing or below floor should be located discreetly within the corners of the rooms and hidden within new boxing decorated to match exiting colour schemes.”

The statement said there would be no impact on the building’s heritage.

It says: “The works will not result in loss of historic fabric. Careful consideration has been given to the positioning and the installation of the heat emitters including the location of any associated pipe work to reduce any visual impact to provide the most sympathetic and sensible solution.

“There will be limited impact caused to the significance of Dudmaston Hall by the proposals however; this impact is considered to be outweighed by improvement that will be made to the internal environment, reducing damp conditions that can easily occur during cold spells and during winter periods, giving significant sustainable comfort heating to the property staff during the winter and cold spells.

“It will also have a reduction on the environment and energy usage with the removal of portable heating appliances.”