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Whitby landmark's new lease of life
WHITBY'S ancient brewhouse is no longer deemed "At Risk" following a five year restoration project.
The monastic brewhouse at Whitby Abbey has been officially removed from the English Heritage 2010 At Risk register after seven years in the red.
Clearance was given after a businessman stepped in and transformed the dilapidated remains in to modern residential dwelling.
David Wright, who has worked in the brewing industry for 30 years for a multi-national company, was the man who took on the challenge.
He worked together with English Heritage, and architect Ian Lord on the five-year project to restore the Grade I listed building.
Mr Wright, who already has a holiday home in Whitby and works for Doncaster-based Tanks and Vessels, said: "This project was done in my spare time and it really has been hard work.
"When I first saw the ruins it was difficult to think that the walls were going to do anything else but fall down. Now the stonework is secure.
"The house is built over three floors, with the main living space on the top level, with a picture window.
"There may be better a view of Whitby from the balcony, but I've yet to see it.
"I'm kept the brewing theme by using oak floor planking recycled from old beer vats.
"My new home is another chapter in the history of a very old building and I'm pleased to be part of its story."
Early in the 19th Century the brewhouse was altered to create a water reservoir for the Whitby Headland, but it fell into disuse by 1913, and while abandoned it became a rubbish tip.
Roofless and with the walls crumbling, it was placed on the At Risk list in 2003.
English Heritage concluded that consolidation of the stonework and conversion to a dwelling was the most viable solution for the site.
A new roof would also help knit together and protect the historic walls, which feature part of the 13th Century abbey precinct walls and those of a 16th Century brewhouse.
Keith Emerick, inspector of Ancient Monuments with English Heritage, said: "The building was substantially altered when it was turned into a water reservoir so no traces of its original brewhouse function survived.
"Without David Wright's imaginative intervention, the ruin would have continued to crumble.
"We helped with an initial survey and ensured that as much as possible of the historic fabric was preserved.
"We are really pleased the way the project has turned out."
The English Heritage 2010 aAt Risk register, published last Wednesday, features more than 400 ancient monuments in North Yorkshire and more than 10% of historic parks and gardens.
It has been deemed the most in-depth study ever undertaken into the state of the region's historic treasures.
Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage regional director, said: "The economic downturn has added to the challenges of finding long term solutions for the buildings on the register.
"Some truly inspiring work is already being done and to a large extent the size of the Heritage at Risk register reflects the astonishing richness of the region's historic environment.
"But it's an asset we must work hard to protect or lose for ever."
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Weather for Whitby
Thursday 09 February 2012
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