New images have offered a rare look inside one of Harrow’s oldest buildings as work to restore the historic property moves forward.
Old Pye House, on West Street in Harrow-on-the-Hill, is a Grade II-listed medieval building believed to date back to the 15th century.
A new application submitted to Harrow Council contains more than 20 pages of photographs documenting the inside and outside of the building before approved refurbishment and repair work takes place.
The images show exposed historic timber frames, brickwork, roof timbers and parts of the building supported by scaffolding, as well as areas which have been stripped back during preparations.
The photographic report was prepared this month, with the pictures themselves taken between 2018 and 2026.
Restoration already approved
The latest planning application, PL/2249/26, does not seek fresh permission for the restoration.
Listed building consent was granted by Harrow Council in January this year for refurbishment and repair work at Old Pye House, together with the demolition of a 1960s breezeblock lean-to extension and a Victorian toilet block.
As part of that approval, a full photographic record of the listed building and the sections due to be removed had to be submitted to the council before work began.
The newly lodged application is seeking approval of that part of the condition. The application form states that the development had not started at the time it was submitted.
Photographs included in the survey show the Victorian toilet block as well as the south, east and west sides of Old Pye House.
Inside, the images provide a closer view of the building’s surviving timber frame and historic structure, alongside exposed brickwork and scaffolding being used within the property.
A building dating back centuries
According to Historic England, Old Pye House probably dates from the 15th century and is the surviving portion of what was once a larger building.
Although architecturally two storeys high, the hall was originally open from the ground to the roof. Surviving features include timber-framed walls, tie beams, curved braces and a kingpost.
The building has been Grade II listed since July 1968.
Its unusual name is also linked to Harrow’s medieval past. Historic England says it derives from “pied poudre”, the name associated with temporary medieval courts used by travelling merchants attending local fairs.
Old Pye House has had very different uses during its long history. Harrow Council’s heritage records state that its original first floor was removed when the property was used as a plastics factory.
Old Pye House remains on Heritage at Risk Register
The property is currently included on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
It is assessed as being in poor condition, with high vulnerability and a declining trend. Historic England gives it Priority A status, meaning it considers there to be an immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of historic fabric.
The restoration project is being worked on by Hayatsu Architects, which says the aim is to repair the medieval building and secure a sustainable long-term use for it.
The architects say the wider plans would see later additions removed to reveal more of Old Pye House’s original form, while historic features including the timber frame would be restored.
The practice also says the long-term vision is for Old Pye House to be used as an artist’s studio as part of a wider site offering artist residencies, with opportunities for the building to be opened to the public.
The latest application was received by Harrow Council on August 24 and remains under consideration.
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