A 17th Century Grade II listed building is set to be restored to its former glory after illegal works carried out by the owner had left the whole place ‘literally gutted’. Much of the décor used was described as ‘fake old’ with little left of its historical value, in an act that the local council called “a real shame”.
Harrow Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for the complete restoration of The Rookery, a late 17th Century Georgian mansion house and stables in Stanmore. It was originally built for the owner of the adjacent Clutterbuck Brewery – Lord Clutterbuck – and has remained in the family for many generations.
However, the house had undergone a series of “unlawful works”, including using décor described as “fake old” and removing original plaster from the walls, which has done “harm to the listed building”. The refurbishment was halted by conservationists and enforcement in December, 2022, and has ceased ever since.
Consent has now been granted for internal and external alterations to take place, including a full interior ‘strip out’ – much of which has already taken place – and renewal of the decoration. The plans outline how the building will be restored to “match the historic details” and “recreate the historic features” where genuine, according to Harrow Council’s planning officer.
The Rookery was described as of particular historic and architectural importance due to its age and association with the brewery, as well as its traditional architectural features and historic fabric. The planning officer claimed it provides a “unique opportunity” to find out more information about the significance and historic development of the building as evidence of it evolving over time is revealed by the removal of the modern surface fabric.
The committee queried whether it would even be possible to restore the house to its original state considering the amount of work required to do so. The planning officer said it was “the best proposal [in] the moment we are at” to move things forward. They added: “The most important thing is getting it back into use, which this proposal would allow.”
No enforcement action was served when the illegal works were discovered because officers sought “to get a better understanding of what had happened” and wanted to work with the owner and “get the right people involved”. However, prosecution at a later date may still be an option, according to the committee chair.
Harrow Council’s Deputy Leader and Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, described the application as “a positive” in the respect of moving things forward but called the building’s current condition “a big disappointment” and that “accepting what’s happened and being pragmatic doesn’t make it all right”.
She said: “Actually, it’s really not all right. Having studied the report very clearly, one might infer that we have still got the option of prosecution because it is actually quite a serious problem to do this to a Grade II listed building. It isn’t just one room or just a small feature, the whole place has literally been gutted.”
She added: “[…] It was beautiful, it was really lovely. I’ve actually been there, a long time ago but it left an impression. I can fully appreciate how heartbreaking this is but one has to get on with it. It’s a real shame this has happened, you’ve got a really lovely place here and there’s not much left of its historical value but hopefully we can put some of it back to make it look at least something like how it was.”
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
