OWNERS of a Grade II listed building in Sampford Courtenay have been ordered to carry out urgent repair work by West Devon Borough Council to prevent further deterioration of the building. The original cob and stone farmhouse at Incott Farm, believed to date back to the early 16th Century, was in very poor condition with the roof in danger of collapsing, members of the council's planning committee were told on Tuesday. This was due to neglect of the unoccupied building over many years. Emergency works were likely to cost £3,000 to 5,000 but the owners were reluctant to undertake any work voluntarily, the committee was told. The council has a duty to preserve listed buildings and can carry out the work itself, recovering the cost from the owners who could, in turn, make an appeal to the secretary of state challenging those costs. Planning permission was refused to demolish the building in June 2007 and a subsequent appeal by the applicants was also dismissed. Planning officer Jane Hart said officers would be flexible if the owners now came forward with a conversion scheme for the building. There was concern that the derelict building had already been 'largely lost' and that it was not worth spending tax payers' money on if these costs could not be recouped from the owners. If was decided that the issue should come before the committee again if the owners refused to carry out the work.
