the white horse hotel, wincanton
the white horse hotel is a grade II* listed building (fewer than 6% of listed buildings in england are grade II*) in the heart of wincanton. it is on the heritage at risk register (historic england's list of historic buildings in danger of being lost). without a viable use its condition would only get worse, so securing its future meant finding a development that could pay for its repair.
we're converting the former hotel into high-quality flats, with a commercial unit on the street frontage. getting there has taken an enabling development case, sustained work with historic england and a careful balance between protecting the historic fabric and keeping the project viable for the developer. it's one of the most complex heritage projects we've taken on.
listed hotel on the heritage at risk register, brought back to life
buildings at risk are rarely short of admirers. what they lack is a use, and the money to repair them. at the white horse the conservation case and the commercial case had to be built together, because neither could succeed on its own.
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traditional trades
much of the building's character lies in its historic fabric. specialist trades are carrying out the repairs using traditional methods and materials, replacing as little as possible and matching what has to be renewed. the aim is a building that looks cared for, not over-restored.
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bats first
surveys found bats roosting in several parts of the building, including lesser horseshoe and grey long-eared bats, both rare in the uk. a licence was needed before any work could start, so the programme and repair strategy were planned around them.
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enabling development
enabling development (new building that would not normally be approved, allowed because it funds the repair of a heritage asset) was the only way to pay for the work. we helped make that case and shaped the new work so it funded the repairs without harming the building it was there to save.
