Plans to restore listed country house submitted to council

A Grade II-listed country house in Lincolnshire is set to be restored 300 years after the birth of its former owner.

South Ormsby Hall in the Lincolnshire Wolds is surrounded by 174 acres of 18th century parkland and gardens which are part of the 3,000 acre South Ormsby Estate.

Plans to restore the building are being submitted in time for the 300th anniversary of the birth of William Burrell Massingberd, who commissioned renowned architect James Paine to rebuild his family home in 1750.

Many of the original features Paine designed will be restored. These include a pediment across the principle façade – a feature Paine included in many of his most famous designs including Kedleston Hall, Cusworth Hall, Thorndon Hall, New Wardour Castle and Nostell Priory.

Internally, many rooms, including the entrance hall and principal rooms, will be restored to how they would have looked in the 1920s, with paint analysis being used to replicate colour schemes. Once the work is completed, the most impressive rooms on the ground floor will be open to the public once per month and the main rooms will be available for hire for events and functions.

Upstairs and in the adjacent stables, heritage apartments will be created to provide short stay visitor accommodation. Meanwhile, the remainder of the house will be retained as a private home for the estate’s custodians, Jon and Jan Thornes.

Takero Shimazaki Architects have designed a bathhouse and a luxury spa for visitors of the apartments which will be situated in the grounds.

South Ormsby Hall is currently listed on Heritage England’s At Risk register and parts of the building date back to the 15th century. The application will preserve the building fabric and prevent further deterioration of the building.

A number of leading conservationists are behind the restoration and regeneration of the historic buildings, including Marcus Beale of Marcus Beale Architects.

Damien-Howard Pask, spokesperson for South Ormsby Estate, said: “This year, it’s 300 years since William Burrell Massingberd was born; he was the former owner of South Ormsby Estate who commissioned Paine to rebuild the hall and had the parkland redesigned and laid out. It’s lovely to think that we’re now turning back the clock to restore South Ormsby Hall and the parkland to be just as he wanted it.

“The South Ormsby Estate has an ambitious vision for regenerating the village and wider local area to improve it as a place to live, work, rest and play. While we’re working on exciting projects across the area, creating spaces for businesses to thrive and communities to meet and share experiences, the restoration of the historic hall and parklands is a key part of our vision. South Ormsby Hall and the 150 acre parkland is of great heritage value, with a long and rich history upheld by beautiful architecture and landscaping.

“We hope to bring South Ormsby Hall and the parkland back to its former glory so that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate it, so that we can create jobs and reinvigorate the local economy.

“Simply patching up the building and leaving it unused and empty won’t protect it; we’re making sure it has a viable future which respects its history, heritage and the needs of the community so the South Ormsby Estate can continue supporting the local area for centuries to come. If these plans are approved, we’ll be able to protect these important heritage assets for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors alike. It’ll be absolutely beautiful.”