Game of Thrones stars win fight to rebuild wall at medieval home
TWO stars of Game of Thrones have won a battle to build a new moat wall despite Historic England saying it could lead to the loss of ancient remains and artefacts.
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie feared the garden would slide into the water at their farmhouse in Suffolk after part of the existing 6ft wall collapsed. They said the collapse was putting structural pressure on a small footbridge across the moat and other parts of the wall were suffering “significant lean”.
The actors, both 34, who played Jon Snow and Ygritte in the drama, asked for permission for urgent repairs, including a new wall with a concrete core “to ensure the long-term stability and safeguard against future problems”.
Historic England, the conservation body, raised concerns.
The heritage organisation cited a 2019 study that said the 15th-century house and its grounds had “a high potential for medieval and post-medieval archaeology”.
But Babergh district council has given the go-ahead for the repair work after their local archaeological team said there would be “no significant impact on known archaeological sites or areas with archaeological potential”.
In a report, planning officials said: “The site is located in a large plot with no immediate neighbouring properties. The replacement wall is to go round an existing moat that has fallen into disrepair. It is noted the concern raised by Historic England, however, following a response from Suffolk County Council’s archaeological team detailing that no further archaeological works are required then it is considered that it would be unreasonable to request further information.
“The proposed development is not considered to result in any significant adverse impact on highways safety, residential amenity, heritage assets, the environment or biodiversity interests to warrant refusal.”
In a design statement submitted to the council, the couple’s planning agents said: “The moat wall has collapsed into the moat along the southern most end and is failing elsewhere with a significant lean.
“The bridge structure offers some localised propping to the wall that currently prevents further failure. This will be exerting additional forces to the timber structure and the main property.
“Part of the earth bank now exposed has started to fall into the moat.
“A replacement robust wall structure is required, given the retained height and influence of the water feature, to ensure the long-term stability and safeguard against future problems.”
Last month, the couple were given permission to build gates to stop people peering in. They said their privacy and security has been “continuously breached” since moving into the farmhouse in 2017.
They were also allowed to proceed last year with improvements including a new kitchen.