Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Historic home needs ‘an awful lot of TLC’
Concern is mounting over the state of a prominent historic building in south Canterbury amid claims the city is beginning to look “shabby”.
A residents’ group is complaining that The Hoystings in Old Dover Road has fallen into disrepair and presents a poor image of the city to visitors.
Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Association (OHSCA) vicechairman David Kemsley describes the council-owned accommodation made up of flats near the junction with Oaten Hill as a “wreck” and is calling for repair work to be carried out.
He said: “I am disappointed that the condition of The Hoystings continues to deteriorate.
“Some of the windows had been partially boarded up and none too neatly at that. The whole thing looks a wreck and as every day goes past the costs of repairs or renovations will escalate or the sale value will decline.
“It really needs an awful lot of TLC – and that is TLC that needs to happen quickly.”
The Hoystings is a grade II- listed building which dates back to the early 18th century with additions made in the early 19th century. It is mentioned in Sir Nikolaus Pevsner’s architectural guide to England.
Fred Whitemore, a former Lord Mayor of Canterbury and OHSCA committee member, said: “The Hoystings has been in a very neglected condition for a very long time.
“It really needs to be dealt with, but nobody seems to be interested. For this to happen to such a historic and attractive building is outrageous.”
Mr Kemsley believes the building’s condition is symptomatic of wider issues regarding the state of Canterbury generally.
He was among residents at a meeting last month to discuss issues including litter and vandalism at the Dane John Gardens.
“Sights such as these are a very poor reflection on Canterbury for visitors coming to a World Heritage Site,” said Mr Kemsley.
“I suspect there may be a degree of complacency about what is expected in maintaining heritage status. We are not caring about the state of our buildings.”
The Hoystings is operated as a residential unit by East Kent Housing, the council’s “arms length” accommodation provider. A report on the state of it is due to go before a city council committee later in the year.
Cllr Robert Thomas, Canterbury City Council’s heritage champion, confirmed he was aware of the issues relating to The Hoystings.
He said: “Consultants were appointed to undertake a high level options appraisal, which took much longer than expected and their study found the property to be in a poor to fair condition. The council, East Kent Housing and normal repairs contractors do not possess the specialist knowledge to properly care for a building of this age and construction.
“The energy efficiency of the flats is poor and below the generally accepted standard for affordable, rented housing.
“It requires full refurbishment in order to continue to provide accommodation, irrespective of ownership or tenure.
“As such, a variety of options are being assessed for the expensive works that are needed to rectify the state of repair. The report for this will be coming to committee in the autumn.”