'Extraordinary' medieval site's refurb plan approved

7 hours ago

Susie RackWest Midlands

Llwyd Mansion was built as a home but later used for commerce

Oswestry Archives Historic black-and-white photograph of a busy town-centre street featuring a prominent timber-framed Tudor building on a street corner. The three-storey building houses retail premises, with awnings displaying the words Dutton’s Silk and Fancy Stores. Pedestrians walk along the pavement and across the street, while a vintage car is parked outside the shop. Surrounding the building are larger stone and brick commercial buildings, including a storefront marked Provincial on the left and partial advertising signs visible on neighbouring facades. — Llwyd Mansion was built as a home but later used for commerce

A run-down 15th Century merchant's house in Oswestry is set to be restored and opened as a visitor hub.

The work would remove "extraordinary" Grade I-listed Llwyd Mansion from Historic England's Heritage at Risk register, and create exhibition, community and retail spaces.

Mayor of Oswestry, councillor Jonathan Upton, said it was a "significant step forward" for the timber-framed building, which was bought by Oswestry Town Council for £75,000 in 2023.

It received lottery funding to pay for surveys and urgent repairs last year, and is awaiting news on a £3.2m funding application to deliver the next phase. Shropshire Council has granted planning permission for the restoration work.

The three-storey mansion on Cross Street, described as one of Oswestry's most significant historic buildings, was built as a home in the mid-to-late 1400s but later used for businesses.

It occupies a prominent position in the town centre and has been vacant since a hairdressing salon moved out.

Shropshire Council's planning decision gives consent for the work needed to restore and reopen it.

Site owner Oswestry Town Council has bid for lottery heritage funding to carry out the restoration project

Oswestry Town Council A historic brick building is covered in metal scaffolding during restoration work on a sunny day. A large white banner stretched across the middle of the scaffolding reads, Protecting 500 Years of Heritage - Together. Temporary fencing surrounds the site at street level. Several pedestrians walk past in the foreground, while neighbouring red-brick buildings line the street. — Site owner Oswestry Town Council has bid for lottery heritage funding to carry out the restoration project

Upton said: "There is still some way to go, but securing consent to carry out this vital work brings us one step closer to saving this extraordinary building and opening it up for the whole community to enjoy."

Becky Jones, interim historic environment manager from Shropshire Council, said the project could become a "flagship example" of conserving heritage buildings.

"By rescuing a nationally important Grade I-listed building at risk and returning it to the heart of community life, the project will deliver lasting benefits for heritage, residents, visitors and the local economy," she added.