Brownsover Hall Hotel, Rugby, is one of Warwickshire's most important Victorian buildings — Grade II* listed, placing it in the top 8% of all listed buildings in England. Designed by the great Gothic Revival architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1850s, it is an irreplaceable part of our shared heritage.

A planning application (ref: R26/0361) has been submitted to Rugby Borough Council for a sympathetically designed glazed orangery within the hotel's historic walled garden, together with kitchen garden planting and landscaping. We are asking you to add your name in support.

The walled garden walls will be repaired.

The historic handmade brick walled garden — over 150 years old — is currently in poor repair and effectively disused. This proposal directly funds the restoration of those walls. Without a viable use for the space, that repair simply will not happen. Supporting this application is one of the most direct ways the local community can help protect an irreplaceable piece of Warwickshire's built heritage.

It secures the long-term future of a Grade II* listed building.

A thriving hotel is the best possible guarantor of a historic building of this significance. The proposed orangery replaces an existing unsightly marquee — improving the appearance of the listed building — and creates a beautiful, high-quality events and function space that strengthens the hotel's commercial viability. A viable hotel means a maintained, protected, and insured Grade II* building for generations to come.

It creates local jobs and supports the Rugby economy

The orangery will generate new skilled employment in hospitality, events management, grounds maintenance and the wider supply chain — real jobs for local people in Rugby and the surrounding area.

The design respects and enhances the heritage setting

The glazed conservatory-style design is entirely in keeping with the Victorian tradition of grand garden buildings. The Heritage Impact Assessment, prepared by specialist historic buildings consultant Richard K Morriss, concludes that the proposals will result in no harm — substantial or otherwise — to the character or significance of the listed buildings or the Brownsover Conservation Area. On the contrary, it identifies clear and measurable enhancements to the setting of the Hall.

It brings a neglected space back to life for the community

A restored walled garden and orangery creates a beautiful setting for weddings, celebrations and events — a space that connects people to the history and character of one of Rugby's finest buildings.

We urge Rugby Borough Council to approve application R26/0361 and support the sustainable future of Brownsover Hall.