SAVE has been following the progress of this former building at risk since 2001. We were delighted to feature significant progress in the building's restoration in our 2006 buildings at risk publication, Heaps of Delight (please see attached pdf).
When its saviour, Jon Maine got involved with the 17th-century house in 1994, it had fallen on hard times. It had been empty for many years and its condition, structurally, was very poor. It became this man's mission to rescue the house and make it his home. Not only has he succeeded in restoring the 17th-century wool merchant's house but he has now been awarded the RICS South West project of the year award.
The Grade II* listed house was built in 1680 for a wealthy local landowner and merchant. It was built in limestone with a T-shaped plan and stood at three storeys in height. Its demise was perhaps exacerbated by a 1960s redevelopment of the market place.
With the help of an English Heritage and a Local Authority grant; a full masonry scaffold and temporary roof was constructed over the building to facilitate its repair which led finally to its complete restoration.
The Merchant's House will now enter a national heat of the RICS competition and will compete against the restoration of St Paul's cathedral in a bid to win the national conservation project award.
For further information please see Jon's website www.merchants-house.co.uk
