I spent part of last evening at the Hartwell Almshouse charity meeting as a PC rep. Jon Billington, the secretary, has been working extremely hard to make the almhouses (set back from the road and beside the Methodist Church) suitable for alteration and resale.
When I was first shown round I was amazed at the tiny living space for each of the three dwellings, reflective of the 19th century. Two recent tenants had moved out because it was so hard to heat and it is now unoccupied. The trustees had agreed that re-design as a single, luxury home with vehicle access at the front would make the almshouses sellable and the money raised permit the purchase of new suitable housing for elderly in the village. All subject to planning permission. I'm sure the original benefactor, Quaker Richard Hartwell would agree entirely.
Unfortunately the conservation officer at CBC doesn't agree. This is a grade II listed building and the Charity's proposals carefully preserve the exterior at the front. But I have been informed that the CO wants the interior with its tiny rooms maintained and objected to an external corridor linking the almshouses to an extension at the back.
At the back - which as you can see from the google street view image above will not be visible.
She is recommending refusal of planning permission by CBC. The building cannot be reused without a change to the interior.
This is coming up at CBC Development Control committee next Wednesday and I believe Jon is going to make the trek to Chicksands to speak for three minutes and hopefully to save the plan. Pcllr Roger Baker is also attending for the same reason. Beyond the call of duty after his sterling service over Flitt Leys, I think, but we are grateful. If it is turned down I personally cannot see how it is saleable or useable and, in few years , may not be even beautiful. Listed or not. What a waste.
Hartwell Almshouses charity
Richard Hartwell died on 16th June 1739. He was a Quaker and his grave can be found in the grounds of Hartwell Farm
Bedfordshire Archives
When I was first shown round I was amazed at the tiny living space for each of the three dwellings, reflective of the 19th century. Two recent tenants had moved out because it was so hard to heat and it is now unoccupied. The trustees had agreed that re-design as a single, luxury home with vehicle access at the front would make the almshouses sellable and the money raised permit the purchase of new suitable housing for elderly in the village. All subject to planning permission. I'm sure the original benefactor, Quaker Richard Hartwell would agree entirely.
At the back - which as you can see from the google street view image above will not be visible.
She is recommending refusal of planning permission by CBC. The building cannot be reused without a change to the interior.
This is coming up at CBC Development Control committee next Wednesday and I believe Jon is going to make the trek to Chicksands to speak for three minutes and hopefully to save the plan. Pcllr Roger Baker is also attending for the same reason. Beyond the call of duty after his sterling service over Flitt Leys, I think, but we are grateful. If it is turned down I personally cannot see how it is saleable or useable and, in few years , may not be even beautiful. Listed or not. What a waste.
Hartwell Almshouses charity
Hartwell Almshouses
The Hartwell Almshouses were founded from the will of
Richard Hartwell in 1734 and 1739. There were three houses provided for the use
of not more than six people, of whom half had to be members of the Society of
Friends. The other half had to have been residents in Cranfield Village. The
houses were maintained by the income of Hartwell Farm situated in Court Road.
The houses were rebuilt in 1834 and can be found at 35-39 High Street. They are
set back from the road, next to the Methodist Church.Richard Hartwell died on 16th June 1739. He was a Quaker and his grave can be found in the grounds of Hartwell Farm
Bedfordshire Archives
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