Building of the Month April 2020: Hill Farm, Badingham Road, Peasenhall, Suffolk

Hill Farmhouse (on the left hand side of the picture above) dates from the beginning of the 17th Century and stands in among a collection of 18th and 19th century farm buildings.  The building on the right is one of these and may originally have been a granary. There is also a substantial timber framed barn which is listed grade II in its own right. 

The timber frame of the farmhouse is largely complete although much of the exterior plastering is missing. Generally the farmhouse is in a very derelict state having stood uninhabited for many years. There seem to have been various alterations which would need replacement, including a breeze block wall on the ground floor and corrugated asbestos sheeting to the rear.

Nevertheless, this is a sizable, picturesque property and would make a spacious family home. The house has two stories with a very tall attic which would lend itself to a fantastic renovation. It is believed that the freehold of the house would not be for sale but a long-term lease might be possible.

Some years ago there were signs that the owners were actively discussing what work should be carried out to the house but this does not appear to have led to any significant remedial work.  Then, a couple of years ago we heard that tarpaulin had been used to cover openings and that the condition of the house had continued to deteriorate.  The recent photographs we have received and which accompany this report confirm this. 

However, in a glimmer of hope in 2018, approval was granted for conversion of the nearby grade II listed timber-framed barns into a distillery and associated storage.  Good progress has been made and by summer 2019, all the pre-conditions to starting development had been satisfied.   The way is now clear to start the conservation work and this should have a positive impact on the propsects of for the farmhouse, although a comprehensive solution is still needed.