£1.4m approved to save historic museum building

Wilmer House, in Farnham, Surrey is Grade I listed but requires major restoration work

The transformation of an iconic Surrey building into the nation's "first and and only craft museum" took a giant stride forward after repair funding was agreed.

Wilmer House in Farnham has fallen into disrepair but Waverley Borough Council is to spend £1.4m to stop the grade I listed building from collapsing and turn it into a cultural centre.

The funding was agreed at the October meeting of the full council, which heard how recent repair work had revealed the full extent of restoration needed, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Kika Mirylees told the meeting: "We understand its importance on a national scale, rare as it is."

Councillor Mirylees continued: "Sitting as Wilmer House does in Farnham with international status as an arts and crafts town, making the museum the first and only craft museum in the UK seems to be the way forward."

Concerns were raised over the increasing costs of the project, with Jane Austin, leader of the Conservative Group saying it was the third time in two years the project has come back for more money.

The council however has a legal duty to maintain Grade I listed buildings it owns.

It must also preserve the building's special architectural and historical interest by obtaining listed building consent for works and use appropriate materials and specialist trade people.

It was not until the walls were stripped back that the true state of decay was known.

George Hesse, who represents Farnham Residents on the council said: "Even a structural engineer would not have known all the rotted timbers that were concealed by rendered parapets and until they were stripped nobody knew they were rotten and the roof was supported on virtually nothing.

"It's a miracle the roof hasn't fallen in, it's that serious."

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