The Group has recently had a set-back in their campaign, with the news that Historic England will not be granting Listed Status to the Conservatory.
In their reply, The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has decided not to add the John Nield Conservatory to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. [Read the Historic England response in full]
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION The John Nield Conservatory, which is prominently-sited in the registered landscape of Stamford Park, is not recommended for listing for the following principal reasons: Degree of architectural interest:
- The impact of alterations has compromised the integrity of the original design.Degree of historic interest:
- The connection with John Nield, and the strong communal value, are of local rather than national significance
- Degree of group value: The group value with the registered landscape and nearby listed structures is not sufficient to outweigh the impact of alterations.
Whilst this is a disappointing response from Historic England, obtaining Listing Status was ony one avenue to getting the Conservatory preserved. The report acknowledges the local historic value (undoubted value they say) and goes as far as suggesting that the Conservatory may be registered as a Community Asset instead.
Save Stamford Park Greenhouse Group has been working on the Community Asset registration for some months. The acknowledgement from Historic England that this is a potential solution, can only help our cause.