Government money for Wentworth House

[misskelly]

Anyone else a bit bemused by the Chancellor giving £7 million to Wentworth House? I know it is a famous building and is often used as a film location but as far as I am aware it is privately owned.

Times are tough for many people just now and I know that in the grand scheme of things it's not that much cash, but still it is a private house. I'm not thrilled about the amount of money that will be spent on Buckingham Palace but at least it is owned by us, in theory. That is not the case with this building. How many buildings should tax payers be expected to fund because they are considered historic buildings?

[corythatwas]

Part of the grant conditions seem to be that it is to be turned into a tourist attraction- in other words, that it will become available to the nation.

What are the alternatives? It will fall down (and very unsafely) if not restored. And then a very important part of our national heritage will be lost. It cannot be pulled down by its present owners as it is a listed building. It would be far more expensive for the nation to either buy it from the present owners or nationalise it: in either case, the nation would then be responsible for the whole cost.

The only reason so much of our heritage has been preserved is because it was bought up by the likes of National Trust or English Heritage. This is the cheaper option.

[PrincessConsuelaTheSecond]

We live in that village and it's lovely so it doesn't bother me really.

DH would have loved to have done it up himself though when they wanted to sell it the quote was several hundred million...

[eyespydreams]

I think it was politically motivated government decisions back in the day that led to the historic park being strip mined etc that led to some of its decay.

Disclaimer: I could have the wrong house and definitely do not have all the accurate details but am sure I read a book called back diamonds about this? Further info welcome !

[eyespydreams]

Black diamonds not back!!

[GetOutMyCar]

I love old buildings but it doesn't sit well that millions are being spent preserving a pile of bricks (a very nice pile I admit) while families are having to go to food banks to survive.