Renovation plans at Shrewsbury stately home given green light

The owners of the building, at Pitchford Hall, can now proceed with converting it into an events venue.

James Nason, owner of Pitchford Hall, said the orangery, which first appears on maps of the estate in 1848, was being used as a house until about 2001 and has since become derelict.

Mr Nason, who bought the hall with his wife Rowena Colthurst in 2016, had asked for permission to change the use of the building from a property to an events venue.

Earlier this month Shropshire Council granted the listed building consent for the work to begin.

Mr Nason said the work would mainly restore the building, and add a kitchen and other elements.

He said: "In terms of the main part of the Orangery we are leaving it as it was converted as a property."

Mr Nason said the restored building could host weddings, musical and cultural events.

He added: "We were also talking to a guy last week about having an open air cinema.

"Because it is surrounded by the walled garden it is perfect for these kind of events where in terms of an open air cinema it is very protected from the wind, and the orangery where you could do drinks beforehand and catering after.

"We have been backed in the restoration by the Country Houses Foundation who have part funded it by giving us a grant to restore the orangery."

The work to restore the orangery is the latest carried out by the family who are restoring the derelict Grade I listed hall.

The restoration of the orangery will begin with the creation of a new habitat for bats currently roosting in the building. If successful the more substantial work will start in spring next year.

Mr Nason said: "My sense is we get through the winter doing some roof repairs and the bat habitat and then the restoration work starts in spring and goes on through summer and autumn.

"Then hopefully some time towards the end of 2019 we will have it launch. It creates an interesting event space for Shropshire.

"That is really exciting in terms of putting Pitchford on the map a bit more and opening up beyond what we are doing which is guided tours."