The Georgian Group is very distressed to report that a fire broke out at Newell House, Sherborne, last Sunday. The fire was started deliberately and has wrought great damage to the multi-phase structure, which was already in an advanced state of disrepair, having been vacant for some years. We were immediately in touch with Dorset Council who have attended site with Structural Engineers to conduct an assessment. The roof and roof timbers are deemed structurally unsound and what remains will be collapsed. The internals are lost, but the walls are considered sound, and emergency action will be taken to prop these as needed.
Newell House is a former prep school which closed down in 2000. It is listed at Grade II and stands on a prominent site in the town. It was designed to have a commanding presence on the streetscape, although sadly, in recent years, its state of dereliction and deterioration was all too clear. We highlighted the vulnerability of the building when it was added to our Top 10 Buildings at Risk register in 2023 and there has been vocal frustration about the lack of protective or enforcement measures in the light of severe owner negligence, despite its importance and listed status.
Our Director, Anya, commented: ‘Whilst we are relieved that no one has been reported as hurt in the fire, it is a tragedy that, yet again, our nation’s heritage is being wantonly attacked by arsonists. Buildings which ostensibly benefit from protection through law are in reality left vulnerable and exposed to pernicious and mindless acts. We are seeing these cases all too often: buildings which have stood for hundreds of years and which add so much to our towns, villages, cities and countryside, wiped out in a night. And all too often the targets of such crimes are depressingly predictable: vulnerable and vacant buildings, such as Newell House. We call upon those with the statutory powers to protect our nation’s built heritage to apply those enforcement powers.’