AN ADDED six-figure sum is needed to refurbish Willow Court Farmhouse after the project was impacted by ‘unforeseen works.’
Wychavon District Council’s executive committee is expected to recommend to councillors that £300,000 be greenlit from the Council’s capital receipts to enable the Project to be completed.
Council documents, seen by the Standard, say the budget for the refurbishment of Willow Court has been affected by unforeseen works, which only became apparent after the dangerous structure of the building had been stabilised.
An assessment of the interior highlighted that key supporting walls of the building lacked foundations, and the central chimney required works to prevent its collapse.
There was also the surprise discovery of a hidden basement filled with rubble, raising questions as to the nature of the material and its stability.
The assessment, scoping and timing of the specialist works required to address these matters have caused a significant delay to the programme, which has been extended from September 2025 to September 2026.
The project has been funded by a £2.3million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant; however, the council, as the owner of the property and promoter of the refurbishment project, is expected to identify additional funding to complete the works.
The Council has previously approved capital funding of £940,000, and a recent request for £580,000 of forward funding to assist cash flow.
The forward funding will be refunded to the council when a later capital contribution is made to the Project.
Documents warn that even with the additional cash, the project may require more funding if any further unforeseen works present themselves over the next nine months, but add that this risk is considered low.
The Grade II-listed farmhouse is being restored and transformed into six affordable rental homes.
A faithful restoration of the 16th century property is the final phase of a multi-stage project, which included making the site secure and developing plans on how to save the building.
Those involved in the restoration work climbed the scaffolding recently to take part in a ‘topping out ceremony’ to celebrate the reconstruction of the property’s historic star-shaped chimneys.
Councillor Rick Deller, member for housing and regulatory services on Wychavon, said: “I’m delighted that with the support we have been able to rescue this historic building and use it to make a real difference to people’s lives.”
