The Old Rectory in St Columb Major, Cornwall, is one of the most important Gothic Revival houses in the country and one of architect William White's most important works, yet it has been allowed to fall into a shocking state of disrepair.

Cornwall Council has known about the severe threat to the Grade II*-listed Old Rectory's survival since 2011 at the latest, when it featured on our Most Endangered Buildings list, but it has failed to serve an Urgent Works Notice on the owner to ensure repairs are made.

Built in 1851, the Old Rectory was designed as the seat of the new Cornish bishop. Today it is owned by millionaire property tycoon James Brown who, until recently, was in prison for reportedly possessing banned handguns, cocaine and ammunition. During that time the building’s neglect worsened. Large holes in the roof and failed guttering have led to terrible water damage throughout the building.

It is extremely unusual for Urgent Works Notices to be delayed for so long as they are used for work which, as the name implies, needs to be carried out urgently. 

Cornwall Council must now take action to save the building through an Urgent Works Notice and any other subsequent actions needed to preserve the building's future. Failure to do so will mean that this irreplaceable Grade II*-listed example of domestic gothic revival architecture will be lost.

Who are we?

The Victorian Society is the national charity campaigning for the Victorian and Edwardian historic environment. You can find out more about our work here.

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