Public notices: Series of applications for historic buildings

In the public notices this week, there are few significant planning applications in Cookham.

The owners of Westdean House on White Place Farm, Sutton Road, want to change a nearby building on the land, Dovecote, into a habitable building, and link it to Westdean via a glass walkway.

Dovecote is a listed building constructed in the 18th century. Over the years, the building’s condition has deteriorated, and repair works are expected to cost about £165,660.

Its owners believe the only way to justify such a large financial commitment is to turn it into a home.

The couple ‘have invested emotionally and financially’ into the acquisition of Dovecote and say it is their ‘wholehearted intention’ to protect its longevity, ‘champion its core characteristics’ and ‘restore it to its former glory.’

As such, the ‘unsightly’ stables attached to the side of the Dovecote would be demolished and replaced by a ‘much smaller’ glass link it to Westdean next door.

Meanwhile in Cookham Dean, The Inn on The Green, based at The Old Cricket Common, wants permission for an extra building serving the hotel (ref 25/03252).

The site is about 0.46ha and consists of a hotel with 10 rooms, restaurant, small bar, gardens and swimming pool.

This proposal seeks to remove an ancillary building and replace it with a café/ breakfast area, plus a small shop selling local produce.

The applicant’s representatives said this will help ‘secure [the hotel’s] long term economic security.’