Defending Our Heritage
Parliament’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) puts our historic environment in jeopardy. I am therefore appealing to the Government to please remove the historic environment from this Framework, or to have the NPPF go back to Parliament for further consideration.
The custodians of Ellys Manor House are sorry to inform you we have been forced to close our significant and historic building to the public.
Ellys Manor House and the neighbouring Grade 1 listed Church form key iconic landmarks in the area and both buildings encapsulate early modern European and British history. We know many of you have enjoyed visiting us.
We have made this difficult decision in protest against the actions of the South Kesteven District Council. Regrettably, despite more than two years of trying to work together cooperatively, the Council is taking action which we believe adversely affects the heritage value of Ellys Manor House and Church.
Their decision to not intervene on unauthorised operational developments being carried out at the barns next door by a third party will, we believe, seriously compromise these two historic and iconic buildings, ultimately leading to their demise.
The early 16th-century domestic wall paintings contained within are said to be ' the most complete, extensive and important domestic decoration of this date in the country' and are described by architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as, ‘a rare English interpretation of French verdure tapestries painted onto the wall’. It is imperative that these works of art are preserved in the best possible condition they can be, and to encourage educational programmes for our future generations.
With so many organisations setup for, or on behalf of government, to protect our historic environment, it is inconceivable that this could happen.
Thank you so much for reading this.
