Plans unveiled to transform Wentworth Woodhouse into “world-class” tourism attraction
New plans to transform Wentworth Woodhouse into a “world-class” visitor attraction are to be unveiled at Downing Street.
The charitable trust, which now owns the Grade-I listed Georgian country house in Rotherham, will be launching its Masterplan at a reception being hosted at 11 Downing Street with the permission of Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Monday October 15.
Hammond awarded a grant of £7.6m to Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust in his Autumn 2016 Statement.
The money was used for roof repairs to halt damage to decorated rooms created from 1735 by the Marquess of Rockingham and the Earls of Fitzwilliam.
Now the trust aims to present a range of new schemes detailed in the 220-page Masterplan.
The document is the result of a year spent gathering and examining workable schemes, advice from heritage experts and the opinions of 1,500 members of the public who took part in the consultation process.
The Masterplan’s aims are to restore and protect Grade-I and Grade-II listed features and ensure the house and its estate is financially secure.
The restoration work feature an artisan construction school to up-skill local people in heritage and construction and lead to the creation of its own skilled workforce.
Julie Kenny CBE, chair of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, said: “The Chancellor’s invitation for us to unveil our plans is testament to the huge national significance of what is arguably Britain’s greatest restoration project for a generation, and its solid cross-party support.
“The Masterplan is the start of an exciting journey, a catalyst for change for the people whose lives the trust touches and the communities we serve. For three centuries the house was the hub of social and economic life across South Yorkshire and we intend to make it so once again.”
WWPT, which took on the site in March 2017, has 19 staff, 100 volunteers and has established a business now generating a healthy income from retail and catering, events and as a location for weddings, film and TV productions.
Sarah McLeod, CEO of WWPT, added: “Our masterplan will not only restore a national asset, it will regenerate a community. As this once great house rises again, it will be both an economic driver and a world-class tourism attraction. It will improve the lives of people in Rotherham, one of the most socially-deprived areas of the UK, by providing training in construction, catering and customer services and creating jobs.
“It’s an exciting time. Now we have a clear and concise vision, work can begin to make things happen. The Masterplan will underpin all our funding applications and our bid to find support from the private sector across the world.”
