ITEM EX5 - ANNEX 1 - APPENDIX 3EXECUTIVE - 7 APRIL 2004DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTYWIDE SPECIAL SCHOOL PROVISION INCLUDING WOODEATON MANOR AND IFFLEY MEAD SCHOOLS
John Griffin, 3 March 2004 Dear John, Re: Woodeaton Manor, Woodeaton, Oxford Preservation Trust I thank you for giving John Ashdown and me the opportunity to join you on the visit to the House on February 19. Whatever our views on the suitability or otherwise of the use of Woodeaton Manor as a school, we wish to say how impressed we were, during our visit, with the thought that the current staff at the school have given to the use of the spaces, thereby minimising damage to the fine interiors, wherever possible. Woodeaton Manor is a house of some importance, as it’s listing as Grade II* demonstrates. It is of particular interest for its outstanding interiors which are the early work of the architect, Sir John Soane. As a result of being used as a school, various alterations have occurred which have adversely affected the character of the building. However, quite remarkably, they have largely been carried out in ways which allow these alterations to be reversed, so that by removing them, the features hidden behind them can be revealed to be conserved and restored. This is an extensive site with the House and a number of other buildings and structures all of which require to be managed and kept in good repair. We are not aware of what the official requirements are for a school, in terms of health and safety, but do have concerns that what is there at present may be the bare minimum and alterations will soon be necessary. The interiors of this building are extremely sensitive and any alterations or additions to them would have to be very carefully handled so as not to cause any further damage to them. We understand that plans are now being considered to alter the nature of the student who will occupy Woodeaton Manor School. We are not able to make any comments on the students who do or would occupy the House. What we are able to say, however, is that we are concerned at the use of the building as a school. We are concerned at the pressure that is being put on the fabric of the building, and the necessity to make changes to this fabric as a result of this use. We would be even more concerned if, rather than finding a use which is more sympathetic to the House, instead, a decision was made which would intensify the use and increase the pressures on it and its fine interiors. Before any decisions are made over the future use of Woodeaton Manor, we ask that a Conservation and Management Plan for the site be prepared. This would then allow an informed decision to be taken over any future uses of this important House and its’grounds. Yours sincerely,
Deborah Dance Director
|