The estate house where Jane Austen participated in dances and referenced in her correspondence is set for demolition by its current proprietors, even though neighboring residents and preservation advocates have raised concerns.
The Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has agreed to approve the proposals for tearing down Ashe Park House in Hampshire and constructing a new ‘classic countryside residence’ inspired by the Queen Anne architectural style.
Owners Shuk Ting Sharon Leung and Gillian Sin Hang Ho purchased the 232-acre property in October 2022 for £17 million and sought permission to demolish it, citing its ‘worn-out and neglected’ condition.
However, 20 local residents raised objections to the proposal due to its historical associations. The renowned author of “Pride And Prejudice” was born in the village of Steventon, just a mile away, in 1775, and visited this seven-bedroom home several times.
Neighbor Caroline Sykes, 67, stated: “This is truly wasteful. The property isn’t a listed building, which doesn’t help its cause, yet it holds historical significance.”
Moreover, the organization Save Britain’s Heritage (SAVE) protested that “the structure holds significant heritage value for Hampshire, and tearing it down would result in unnecessary damage.”
Nevertheless, the council planners gave permission for the teardown.
The schedule indicated: “A significant portion of the house standing today underwent reconstruction during the early to middle part of the 20th century and once more in the 21st century… The present Ashe Park most probably differs from the residence Jane Austen might have visited.”
SAVE stated: “This is a stunning home with an intriguing past.”
There are intriguing connections to Jane Austen as well as a commander from the Charge of the Light Brigade who restored the property upon returning to Hampshire following the Crimea conflict. … Such drastic demolition proposals would obliterate this delightful structure along with that rich history.
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