Save our Clandon

After the 2015 fire, the National Trust stated

“With the help of today’s artists and craftspeople, we can reconstruct these beautiful ceilings to warmly welcome visitors back to Clandon Park.”

But the National Trust has submitted a planning proposal that leaves Clandon’s interior a ruin with fire-blackened bricks, unsympathetic modern walkways, intrusive kiosks and a lift shaft ruining the roofline, while leaving the fine baroque interiors unrestored. The National Trust claims the bare brick walls are “fascinating,” but the significance of the house was in its magnificent stucco interiors. They dismiss restoration as “plastic pastiche,” a crass dismissal of the exceptional work of the freehand plaster modellers who restored Uppark after the 1987 fire.

This planning application was approved in March 2025, and in October the Housing Secretary announced that the application would not be called in to be judged at a planning inquiry.

In our view this is wholly inappropriate, as a planning inspector hearing evidence at an inquiry would be best placed to judge such a complex and controversial proposal. The members of the Guildford Borough Council's planning committee freely admitted their ignorance of the historically important building and of the convoluted arguments put before them.

We are now looking at ways to challenge the decision to approve the application. This process will be expensive, but our heritage is worth it. Please help if you can by contributing to our crowdfunder.

1. The historically and aesthetically significant interiors need to be reinstated

The fire of 2015 caused substantial damage on Clandon Park, and the National Trust’s refusal to restore its interiors only compounds this harm. Reinstating the original state rooms with authentic materials would restore the building’s purpose and secure its long-term future. Faithful restoration would honour the historical significance of the house and ensure it remains a meaningful visitor attraction.

2. Ruins won’t draw crowds

The proposal to keep Clandon Park as a managed ruin undermines its long-term viability. Visitors are unlikely to return repeatedly to see smoke-blackened walls and small sections of plaster. Unlike attractions such as Witley Court, the site lacks extensive gardens to draw crowds. The novelty of a fire-damaged interior will fade, and the future of the house could be in jeopardy.

3. Commerce over conservation

The proposal prioritises commercial uses such as events, exhibitions, and dining over conservation. These plans conflict with the National Trust’s charitable purpose to promote the permanent preservation of buildings of beauty and historic interest for the benefit of the nation.

Read more…

Please consider donating to our crowdfunder to help us engage professionals to fight against this application.

We really appreciate your help. Thank you.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-clandon-park-the-next-sta/