The Old Rectory in Whitchurch is a Grade II* listed 18th-century building of significant historical value, having served as a wartime listening station during World War II. The property’s south wing had suffered from years of differential settlement, posing a risk of collapse. Our work involved both urgent structural repairs and careful conservation of its distinctive heritage features, ensuring the building was preserved for future generations.
Structural Stabilisation & Underpinning
Given the imminent risk of collapse, stabilizing the south wing of The Old Rectory required a careful, non-invasive approach. We employed specialist screw ground piling — a technique that reinforced the foundations without causing further disruption to the building's fragile structure. Through the insertion of 7m helical screw piles and steel-reinforced concrete ground beams, we restored stability to the existing brick walls, ensuring the rectory could continue standing as a testament to its historical significance.
Brickwork Reconstruction
The west wall of the south elevation had sustained severe damage and lean, making its restoration a delicate and demanding process. We carefully dismantled the wall, saving any salvageable bricks for reuse. New, handmade bricks sourced from Imperial Brick were matched to the original in both size and colour to maintain authenticity. The wall was then rebuilt with a combination of new and sound reclaimed bricks using traditional lime mortar to ensure the highest level of heritage accuracy.
Roof Work & Masonry Repairs
To safeguard the structure’s roof, we propped the entire roof using designed scaffolding, allowing us to conduct necessary repairs. We undertook essential timber and masonry repairs and re-roofed the southern pitches, restoring the roofline to its original form while incorporating modern drainage solutions to improve the building’s longevity.
Windows and Joinery Restoration
The original sash windows, featuring steel opening sashes, were carefully restored. Defective sections were replaced using English oak, ensuring both aesthetic integrity and long-term functionality. This attention to detail was crucial in preserving the building’s original character while providing modern standards of performance.
Cobbled Pathways & Hard Landscaping
The rectory’s original cobbled pathways were an important feature that needed careful restoration. We meticulously lifted, recorded, and re-laid the cobbles using lime mortar to ensure the historical character of the site was maintained. This work extended to repointing the joints and ensuring alignment with the traditional methods used during the rectory’s original construction.
Health & Safety & Site Management
Working on a Grade II* listed building with a delicate structural condition required meticulous planning and strict health and safety measures.
We carefully excavated underpinning trenches, taking care not to destabilise the surrounding structure.
Temporary propping and structural scaffolding ensured safety throughout the roof repair process.
Our management strategies included phased work schedules to minimise disruption to local businesses and the surrounding community.
We took every precaution to protect both the building and those working on-site while preserving the site's historical integrity.
The restoration of The Old Rectory, Whitchurch, was not merely a structural intervention, but a dedicated effort to preserve its historical integrity. Ensuring the building’s legacy while adapting it for future generations was at the heart of our work. Our team’s expertise in both traditional craftsmanship and modern restoration techniques allowed us to protect the building’s future, and we are proud to have played a part in preserving its ongoing story
A Visual Overview of the process
