Don’t bring this old house down (From Dorset Echo)

Don’t bring this old house down

11:39am Friday 21st March 2008

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A CAMPAIGN has been launched to try and save one of the oldest family homes in Watery Lane, Weymouth, from demolition.

Rackmead is a detached period house which is believed to date back to at least the 1840s.

But Weymouth and Portland planners have recently received an application from Oakenstead Estates to demolish Rackmead and build a new home with a garage in its place.

Now retired BP technician Norman Petty, of Broadwey, Weymouth, has launched a campaign to try and save the character house from being demolished.

He said: "I know it is a not a grand house or anything like that but it is a very important part of old Broadwey.

"I feel that it is so historically important that it is an absolute shame that it should ever have been considered for demolition. The house is an important part of the character of old Broadwey."

In the past Rackmead was a market garden and plant nursery, the grounds benefiting from the planting of many trees and shrubs including some unusual species. Some are notable including one yew which was already a tree of grand stature' in a photograph taken in 1900.

Mr Petty said Rackmead was also in an area of outstanding natural beauty and was so close to the Upwey Conservation Area that the boundary ran right past the house gate. He is now contacting a variety of groups who he hopes will back his campaign, one of which is Weymouth Civic Society whose spokesman Derek Cope pledged their support.

He said: "I think that it would be a pity to lose this house. It is still a very useable home and the rooms are actually quite large. We would certainly support any campaign to save it."

A council spokesman said: "This scheme is still at the public consultation stage and is currently due to be delegated for planning officers to decide the application."

The Echo contacted Paul Cullen of Oakenstead Estates about the bid to demolish Rackmead and build a new home on the site but he said: "I don't wish to discuss this."

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