ROTTING timber and a leaky roof have led to a 14th century medieval hall in Southend being named on a national list of heritage buildings “at risk”.
Southchurch Hall, a stunning grade I listed building, is now used as a museum dedicating to exhibiting life in the Tudor period, after being presented “to the town of Southend” in 1930.
The moated house, in Park Lane, is surrounded by gardens and recognised as one of Simon Jenkin’s “thousand best houses in England”.
However, Historic England has added the building to its “risk register” – which gives an annual snapshot into the health of valued historic buildings to ensure they are protected.
The heritage organisation has noted that “with the right support and restoration” the hall has the potential to aid the regeneration of the surrounding area.
The hall was last extensively restored in 1930 after being used to home farming families for hundreds of years prior.
Matt Dent, Southend Labour councillor for culture, tourism and business, said the council was applying for and looking into funding to overcome the enormous cost of restoration posed by all three structures.
Southend historian Marion Pearce has branded the lack of care for the hall, built between 1321 and 1364, “a horror” and has called for Southend’s heritage to be preserved.
She said: “Our wonderful heritage in our new city should not have been left to get into this state, it is a dreadful situation, and we have a wonderful heritage in Southend. It is the responsibility of the council to take care of it.
“It has been woefully neglected and it is something that should be appreciated, we are so fortunate to have wonderful history and buildings that reflect our history, they must be preserved.
“It is appalling disregard, this building is unique, and we should be passing it on to future generations, not letting it rot, there is no excuse and there is a responsibly to the future.
“We have wonderful history. It is being lost unnecessarily.”
Southend mayor, Ron Woodley, was disappointed to hear the news and has similarly stressed the importance of maintaining the hall.
He said: “We take a lot of pride in our historic buildings and I would push for officers to make sure it is maintained.
“I am disappointed to hear this and next time we meet the chief executive, we will have a discussion to ensure out historic homes are kept to a high standard.”
Mr Dent added: “Being in the middle of my ward, Southchurch Hall is very important to me and council has recently been putting money aside for restoration works, we are putting in bids for more funding grants to be able to do more works.
“There is an effort going on and there are bids going in for heritage grants, it is incredibly difficult and expensive as works must be done one way as to not damage the buildings.
“Particularly when you are working with something so old and so delicate, specialised work is required, and it comes with the appropriate price tag."
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