An application has been submitted to West Devon Borough Council to renovate a historic former estate cottage in Bridestowe that has fallen into disrepair.

Applicant George Greaves is applying for Listed Building Consent to completely renovate 1 Bridhayes Cottages in Station Road, which is currently uninhabitable. Comments are invited on app 4677/21/LBC by January 13.

A statement to the planners from Kingsley Projects, on behalf of the applicants, explained that the stone cottage, once two cottages, had been occupied for many years by workers of the Leawood Estate and was last occupied by a descendant of an estate worker.

It has received vitually no maintenance or refurbishment internally for more than 50 years. The application papers, which can be seen online on the planning section of WDBC’s website, show a number of photographs showing the cottage on histoirc maps, including a tithe map dating back to around 1846.

The applicant’s agent states: ‘The building concerned provides clear signs of once being two smaller cottages and these are known to have been continually associated with the Leawood Estate and the housing of its workers.

‘The last occupant was in fact the son of a former estate worker who benefited from family rights of continued occupation. He has recently vacated the home after occupancy ofmore than a decade.

‘The dwelling has received no maintenance internally or refurbishment of the accommodation for a period in excess of 50 years, other than essential safety works to the electrical system and primitive heating.

‘Externally, the basic building fabric has been kept in good condition by the estate in a sympathetic manner. The general summary of the condition of the interior is one where heavy dilapidation can be widely seen.’

The proposal is to completely update the cottage, with a ‘light touch wherever possible’.

The only part that will be completely replaced is a rotten kitchen lean-to, described as ‘close to collapse’, which will be demolished and replaced by a modern galley kitchen of a similar size.

The statement adds that ‘a more modern electrical and central heating system are at the core of these renovation works and the building will also benefit from a thorough and sympathetic internal finish and fabric upgrade’. It goes on to stress that ‘there is no intention to remove any historic features’ in the historic cottage.

Comments from the public on the application are invited via the planning section of the WDBC website by January 13.

Other applications to West Devon Borough Council include:

Planning application for a new house on land east of Stowford Farmhouse, Stowford — http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214394

Listed Building Consent for a ground floor garden room behind 3 Garden Cottages, South Tawton — http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214549

Planning application for change of use for an agricultural field into a residential garden at Knoll Park, Mount Tavy Road, Tavistock — http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214536