New village in grounds of chateau to go ahead
A DECISION on the future of a historic mansion in Worcestershire has been made after plans to create a new a country housing estate were approved.
For years, there had been concerns over the future of Chateau Impney, a Grade II-listed estate in Droitwich which has previously been used as a hotel, restaurant and conference centre.
The stunning Impney Hall, built between 1873 and 1875 in the style of a French chateau, closed during the pandemic and never reopened.
Now an official planning application to restore the landmark and build a new village in its grounds has been approved by Wychavon District Council, subject to conditions.
Proctor & Matthews Architects, who are behind the project, said the village of Little Impney will include 127 homes, allotments, community orchards and business space. It has said the village will replace ‘obsolete and unsympathetic’ conference and exhibition centres built on the estate in the 1970s.
A spokesperson for the building firm said: “The village will reflect the historic form of the former 19th-century walled productive garden and include allotments and community orchards. There will be a village square – a neighbourhood focus along the existing John Corbett Way – for residents and those working in the surrounding existing and retained workshops.”
Impney Hall itself will be restored and continue as a boutique hotel and restaurant while landscaping of the vast parkland will be carried out. There will also be improvements to sustainable travel, with new pedestrian and cycle routes which will connect with the town centre of Droitwich and the rail station.
Clare Wilks, a director at LDA Design and project lead for Impney, said: “We are delighted with this decision, which reflects the local community’s own enthusiasm for the proposals. It will make a huge difference to the area and become a lovely place to live and to visit.”