The council will carry out urgent repairs to a Grade I listed barn and charge the owner if no action is taken.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) plans to issue a final warning to the owner and developer of Chazey Farm Barn due to the ongoing deteriorating condition of the historic Grade I Listed structure.

The barn was built in the 17th century and forms part of an ancient farmstead with elements dating back to the Norman period.

Reading Chronicle:

Councillor Tony Page, RBC lead member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “This is a completely unacceptable situation where the owners and developers of a Grade I listed building in Reading have allowed it to deteriorate more than 21 years after planning permission was originally given.

“Planning officers have continued to monitor the condition of the structure since the last warning letter in 2016 and the council is now in the position where it intends to issue a further warning.

“If no action is forthcoming, the council will carry out the necessary works on behalf of the developer and owner and pass on the costs to them, as we are entitled to by planning law.

“The neglect of this historic building cannot be allowed to continue.”

Reading Chronicle:

Planning law allows councils to carry out repair works which are deemed to be urgently necessary for the preservation of any unoccupied listed building.

RBC said Historic England will be fully consulted on the proposed action, while the public body has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it backs the council taking an enforcement approach.

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A Historic England spokesman said: “We are aware of the barn’s poor condition and, although its deterioration is relatively slow, we are keen to see a solution agreed that will bring the structure back into use.

“It is within RBC’s gift to explore enforcement action, and Historic England would support this approach.”

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Chazey Barn is Grade I listed and has been on the Heritage at Risk Register for many years.

Reading Chronicle:

A warning letter was sent to Chazey Barn owner Mapledurham Estates, and Inmind Health Care Group, developer of the Chazey Barn site in 2016.

The developer stated it was in the process of appointing an appropriate contractor, but no action was taken.

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The condition of the historic structure has continued to deteriorate significantly.

Mapledurham Estates and Inmind Health Care Group have both been contacted for comment.