Urgent repairs ordered for Grade I listed castle

Norris Castle sits next door to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's former royal residence, Osborne House

The owners of a historic Grade I listed castle have been told they must complete "urgent" repairs within four weeks.

Isle of Wight Council said it has issued an Urgent Works Notice to the owners of Norris Castle near East Cowes to protect it from further deterioration.

It comes after a condition report on the castle and farm buildings found water leaks were causing the internal ceilings and plaster to decay.

If the work is not carried out within 28 days, the council will do it with financial support from Historic England, and then recover the costs.

Set within a landscaped park and overlooking the Solent, the castle was designed by James Wyatt and built in c1799 - 1804 as a marine villa for the retired politician Lord Henry Seymour.

It hosted numerous royal visits in the 19th century, including George V and Queen Victoria.

The castle is Grade I listed, meaning it is of "exceptional interest".

Isle of Wight Council previously issued another Urgent Works Notice in June 2023.

The work was carried out, but the council said the repairs had since failed.

Councillor Paul Fuller, cabinet member for planning, said the council had to "act quickly to preserve these nationally important buildings".

"We continue to be concerned about the condition of the buildings, so have now issued an Urgent Works Notice," he said.

Plans to turn the castle into a 74-room luxury hotel were turned down in April.

The BBC has approached Wellington Estates, which owns the property, for comment.