CAMPAIGN: Rackmead in Weymouth which could be demolished
A CAMPAIGN to save one of Weymouth's oldest family homes from demolition is being backed by relatives of those who lived in it more than a century ago.
Retired BP technician Norman Petty is battling to preserve Rackmead, a detached period house in Watery Lane, Upwey, which dates back to the 1840s.
He and many others are all against plans by Oakenstead Estates, which has applied to Weymouth and Portland council to demolish Rackmead and build a new home with a garage in its place.
Now Mr Petty's efforts have been applauded by members of the Barnes family, who lived at Rackmead for many years and who are desperate to save it from the wrecking ball.
Emily Barnes, of Finchley, London, told the Echo she wanted to pledge her and her family's support to the Save Rackmead campaign.
She added: "This was our family home, belonging to my great aunt who sadly passed away. It was with great sadness, frustration and disappointment that we had to put this house up for auction last year. When we heard it could be demolished we were devastated and our hearts just sank.
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"Whilst we no longer own the property, we would never want to see it demolished or the grounds torn up.
"This house has been with us for many years, so there is much of our family history there including an apple tree planted in memory of our grandfather, who passed away nine years ago. I grew up spending many happy holidays there with my family, as did my father, his father and aunt's and uncles and so on."
William and Elizabeth Parsons just before the First World War
She said she had visited Rackmead last weekend and felt very strongly about the campaign to save the family home.
She said: "It made me very sad to see this empty house and a sign stuck to the gate regarding its demolition, so it has really warmed mine and my family's hearts to find out about this campaign."
Her father Michael said: "I have registered an objection with the borough planning authorities to the demolition.
"I have most of the important documents relevant to Rackmead and hundreds of photographs of the house, garden and family going back to the 1860s.
"The earliest pictures taken at Rackmead are probably from around or just before 1900 since prior to that most photographs tended to be studio portraits."
Their heartfelt support delighted Mr Petty. He said: "This is fantastic news and not unexpected. They show the same sentiments about Rackmead that I do, while many Upwey and Broadwey residents are also upset at the prospect of the house being demolished.
"I am quite heavily involved now in trying to save Rackmead and other people are also helping the campaign."
Mr Petty said the house is a very important part of old Broadwey and it was an absolute shame' it was ever considered for demolition.
In the past Rackmead was a market garden and plant nursery, the grounds benefiting from the planting of many trees and shrubs including one yew which was already a tree of grand stature' in a photograph taken in 1900.
Weymouth Civic Society is among those to pledge support for the campaign.
The council says the scheme is still at the consultation stage and is currently due to be delegated for planning officers to decide the application.
Oakenstead Estates refused to discuss its application.
House was built for £143 on four-acre site
RACKMEAD began life as a four-acre plot off Watery Lane, Weymouth, which was bought for a market garden in 1842 by George and Jane Parsons.
They had a house built on the site for £143 while a £70 extension in 1856 created another four rooms.
The Parsons thrived on the site, May Parsons marrying Arthur Barnes in 1911 and going on to run Rackmead the house while her sister, Gertie, concentrated on the garden.
Michael Barnes, who has detailed Rackmead's history, said: "According to those who were there, the 1920s and 1930s were the golden age of Rackmead.
"The God-fearing and churchgoing family held a strong position in the local community as long-standing members of Broadwey Choral Society and the Mothers' Union.
"Visitors of all kinds came and went, produce was sold - especially apples from the vast orchard - and, until the outbreak of the Second World War, Rackmead even sported a tennis court.
"At the declaration of war Gertie seized a spade, marched out into the garden and began at once to dig for victory' which among other things spelt the end of tennis.
"Arthur participated in the evacuation from Dunkirk and came back so shattered by the experience that he was invalided out of the Merchant Navy and spent the rest of his life in retirement at Rackmead. During the 1940s he ran a number of goats on the property to eke out rations, the first pair arriving by train for collection at Upwey station, now a builder's yard. He also had three beehives, which secured a steady supply of honey. Hens and rabbits were also kept in considerable numbers."
May Barnes died in 1964, Gertrude Parsons in summer 1967 and Arthur Barnes in November of the same year. All three lie buried in Broadwey churchyard side-by-side with William and Elizabeth Parsons.
Children kept the Rackmead connection going but the family was forced to sell the house a few months ago for £504,000 to fund nursing home fees.
Posted by: Old Synic, Wyke on 12:32pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote]She added: "This was our family home, belonging to my great aunt who sadly passed away. It was with great sadness, frustration and disappointment that we had to put this house up for auction last year. When we heard it could be demolished we were devastated and our hearts just sank.
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If you were that concerned you should have put a covernent on it.
She added: "This was our family home, belonging to my great aunt who sadly passed away. It was with great sadness, frustration and disappointment that we had to put this house up for auction last year. When we heard it could be demolished we were devastated and our hearts just sank.
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If you were that concerned you should have put a covernent on it.
Posted by: Old Broadwey Resident, Broadwey on 12:46pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Having now seen the plans for the proposed demolition of Rackmead and the plans for the replacement house, my response is probably like most... WHY? It is claimed that the new building would enhance this Area of Natural Beauty, BUT in my opinion the proposed dwelling would look more at home amongst the cloned new flats at Preston!
If you share my sentiments, and want to help save RACKMEAD, which is probably unique in South Dorset, then please write an objection letter (quoting 08/00147/FUL) to the WPBC Planning Department. Council Offices North Quay Weymouth. DT4 8TA
Having now seen the plans for the proposed demolition of Rackmead and the plans for the replacement house, my response is probably like most... WHY? It is claimed that the new building would enhance this Area of Natural Beauty, BUT in my opinion the proposed dwelling would look more at home amongst the cloned new flats at Preston!
If you share my sentiments, and want to help save RACKMEAD, which is probably unique in South Dorset, then please write an objection letter (quoting 08/00147/FUL) to the WPBC Planning Department. Council Offices North Quay Weymouth. DT4 8TA
Posted by: spangley101, London on 1:11pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Old Synic[/bold] wrote:
[quote]She added: "This was our family home, belonging to my great aunt who sadly passed away. It was with great sadness, frustration and disappointment that we had to put this house up for auction last year. When we heard it could be demolished we were devastated and our hearts just sank. advertisement[/quote] If you were that concerned you should have put a covernent on it. [/quote] As I understand it, there is a covernent on the property and land but this can only stop any new builds from being bigger, taller than the existing build. It doesn't stop the existing build from being knocked down.
Old Synic wrote:
She added: "This was our family home, belonging to my great aunt who sadly passed away. It was with great sadness, frustration and disappointment that we had to put this house up for auction last year. When we heard it could be demolished we were devastated and our hearts just sank. advertisement
If you were that concerned you should have put a covernent on it.
As I understand it, there is a covernent on the property and land but this can only stop any new builds from being bigger, taller than the existing build. It doesn't stop the existing build from being knocked down.
Posted by: graham, weymouth on 1:12pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Knock it down.
A four acre site should be used for affordable housing. Think how many houses/ flats you could build. Think of the extra income generated for the local authority in council tax.
Think of the homeless needing somewhere to live.
Knock it down.
A four acre site should be used for affordable housing. Think how many houses/ flats you could build. Think of the extra income generated for the local authority in council tax.
Think of the homeless needing somewhere to live.
Posted by: dan, Dorchester on 4:40pm Fri 28 Mar 08
From my understanding of covenants the Planning Authority does not take these into account. You have to appeal to the person/company (or their appointed representatives)who originated the covenant to get it enforced, and obviously you have to do this during the Planning Process. In many cases, and I suspect in this case, despite what it says in the deeds, the originator is long gone and I wouldn't be surprised if the Covenant has lost its 'teeth'.
Perhaps a Planning Officer might comment ?
From my understanding of covenants the Planning Authority does not take these into account. You have to appeal to the person/company (or their appointed representatives)who originated the covenant to get it enforced, and obviously you have to do this during the Planning Process. In many cases, and I suspect in this case, despite what it says in the deeds, the originator is long gone and I wouldn't be surprised if the Covenant has lost its 'teeth'.
Posted by: Georgina, upwey, weymouth on 3:29pm Mon 31 Mar 08
In the echo it says Retired BP technician Norman Petty is battling to preserve Rackmead -but where can we sign a petition or support his campaign? Can someone publish how to do this?? Are Upwey Society doing a petition does anyone know??
'Rackmead' is a fine example with architectural merits for a building of its age, and most importantly its historic value helps and enhances the outer edge of Upwey village. To loose this property to demolition is unjustifiable and would be a great shame.
[bold]!!!!!!!PLEASE HELP SAVE RACKMEAD!!!!!!![/bold]
It will be a great
In the echo it says Retired BP technician Norman Petty is battling to preserve Rackmead -but where can we sign a petition or support his campaign? Can someone publish how to do this?? Are Upwey Society doing a petition does anyone know??
'Rackmead' is a fine example with architectural merits for a building of its age, and most importantly its historic value helps and enhances the outer edge of Upwey village. To loose this property to demolition is unjustifiable and would be a great shame.
Posted by: Georgina, upwey, weymouth on 3:31pm Mon 31 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Georgina[/bold] wrote:
In the echo it says Retired BP technician Norman Petty is battling to preserve Rackmead -but where can we sign a petition or support his campaign? Can someone publish how to do this?? Are Upwey Society doing a petition does anyone know?? 'Rackmead' is a fine example with architectural merits for a building of its age, and most importantly its historic value helps and enhances the outer edge of Upwey village. To loose this property to demolition is unjustifiable and would be a great shame. [bold]!!!!!!!PLEASE HELP SAVE RACKMEAD!!!!!!![/bold] It will be a great [/quote] ....shame to loose such a great building.....
Georgina wrote:
In the echo it says Retired BP technician Norman Petty is battling to preserve Rackmead -but where can we sign a petition or support his campaign? Can someone publish how to do this?? Are Upwey Society doing a petition does anyone know?? 'Rackmead' is a fine example with architectural merits for a building of its age, and most importantly its historic value helps and enhances the outer edge of Upwey village. To loose this property to demolition is unjustifiable and would be a great shame. !!!!!!!PLEASE HELP SAVE RACKMEAD!!!!!!! It will be a great
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