Draycott: Vicarage demolition to be approved as listed status denied

Gordon Bradley, 83, has been trying to sell his house - a former vicarage - for two years

The demolition of a former vicarage in Derbyshire is to be approved after a bid to give it listed status failed.

Erewash Borough Council had asked Historic England whether Draycott's Ferrestone House was worthy of listing after an application to demolish it was put in.

A listed status would mean the plans could be vetoed but the property has not met Historic England's criteria.

House owner Gordon Bradley, 83, said he just wanted to sell the property.

Now the listed status has been refused, the authority says it has no choice but to approve the plans.

Mr Bradley said the building had been on the market since March 2022 and the estate agent was having trouble finding someone to buy it.

The house features extensive grounds and was sold by the Diocese of Derby in 1961

He said a property developer was interested so an application to demolish it was put in "as a last resort".

"We had tried everything so we tried that... it created a lot of havoc in the village," he said.

"I hope it is not demolished but it is up to the person who buys it.

"I have lived here since October 1999, on my own all the while. I find it is far too big and expensive to keep going and I want a quieter life. The garden is too big.

"Good luck to anyone who buys it. I'm interested in selling it so I can get a small bungalow for myself because I am in my mid-80s now and I don't want the hassle any more."

Concerned villagers contacted the council after a developer published plans to take the building down and restore it.

The developer contacted the council in early September, signalling its intention to knock down the Station Road property and asking what permissions were needed from the authority.

In response, Erewash Borough Council issued a preservation order to temporarily halt the plans.

In a letter from the town hall to residents, councillors said the authority had "no alternative" but to grant approval.

Alex Breene, lead member for town centres, regeneration and planning, said: "We explored every avenue for preservation and are extremely disappointed by Historic England's decision.

"Fine old buildings like this are what make the borough so special and we do not want to lose them."

A Historic England spokesperson said: "While it is a characterful vicarage, built in 1875, which makes a strong contribution to its local area, Ferrestone House does not have the special architectural and historic interest needed to merit listing on a national level.

"We recognise this is a much-loved local building and we are advising the local authority on alternative ways to protect it."