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           Photo: Purcell Architecture Ltd


A Low Carbon future for a 700-year-old building

Cornwall Buildings Preservation Trust (CBPT) plans to carry out a new project at Old Duchy Palace, the Grade 1 Listed Building in the heart of Lostwithiel. The Trust will carefully adapt the building to reduce its carbon footprint, whilst improving its resilience to storms, run off, and the tidal flooding that periodically affects Quay Street.

There will also be a new online virtual tour around the inside the building, describing how it has been used through the centuries. CBTP will work closely with  their new tenant – an antiques business – to minimise disruption whilst enabling more people to understand and enjoy the building.

Duchy Palace 1734
  More infomation available on British Library flickr page

Old Duchy Palace has a long and varied history. Built in 1292, as part of the headquarters of the Duchy of Cornwall, it’s now the only complete building remaining from the 2-acre medieval complex that once extended along the quay. Its vaulted undercroft opens onto Fore Street, and the large hall upstairs is accessed from Quay Street. The hall had many different roles, at various times housing the Stannary Parliament, Coinage Hall, and County Assizes. After being sold by the Duchy in 1873, it was converted to a Masonic Lodge. When the Lodge closed in 2008, CBPT partnered with The Prince’s Regeneration Trust to restore the building for local business use.

CBPT took on the care of Old Duchy Palace in 2013 and hold it on a 25-year lease from the freeholder (now called Re-Form Heritage). Although the building had to close in 2020 due to Covid and to remedy an unexpected outbreak of dry rot, it is about to open for business again, operating under an environmentally friendly ‘Green Lease’.

The climate change adaptations at Old Duchy Palace are an important next step for the Trust. Proposed work includes replacing the gas fired boiler with an electric heating system, overhauling the non-return flood valve in the undercroft, electrical upgrading, better ventilation, small-scale roof repairs and redecoration.  CBPT hope it will be an exemplar of good environmental practice, getting Old Duchy Palace into shape for at least the next 10 years. An experienced conservation architect or surveyor will be appointed to organise the work with a specialist advising on energy efficient heating and ventilation systems. CBPT will favour locally based consultants and contractors, especially those offering training and volunteer opportunities.

As CBPT has only a small reserve of funds, they are applying to Cornwall’s ‘Good Growth’ Shared Prosperity Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for grants to help carry out the project. Altogether, it is expected to cost around £240,000, of which two thirds would be spent on Old Duchy Palace. Work is planned to begin in Summer 2023 and take place over the following 18 months.

CBPT have produced this summary to tell you about their plans, invite your comments and, they hope, your support. Thye can be contacted via email -   cbptrust "AT" gmail.com   The above information is also available in pdf format via this link

        

About Cornwall Buildings Preservation Trust (CBPT)

CBPT is a small local charity run by volunteers dedicated to rescuing historic buildings that are disused or derelict. They celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2023 and want to ensure that they are fit to continue their work into the future by building  their capacity. The Trust want to strengthen their Board and shall be inviting more Trustees with community backgrounds and business skills to join. A new Business Development Officer will be recruited to improve the Trust’s links with local and regional partners, enhance their online presence and develop further projects across Cornwall.


CBPT has a basic website that sets out who they are and what  they do. Contact them  If you would like more information or want to become involved.