Our aim is to breathe new life into underutilised buildings in the Estate Yard by:
• sensitively converting the sawmill and joinery shop into a new Estate Office. This will enable the Estate management team to move from current isolated and inefficient offices to a carefully refurbished, efficient workspace at the heart of the community.
• providing improved and fit for purpose facilities for the Estate maintenance team.
• creating new workspace (by conversion) for a variety of community uses and to provide opportunities for small businesses to work from Englefield.
• conserving the steam plant, wheelwright’s furnace and the historic fabric of the Estate Yard.
The Estate Yard was originally a hive of employment activity with a saw mill, joiner’s shop, blacksmith, wheelwright, and other associated trades and activities.
Given the original uses, the buildings themselves are industrial in nature. However, they are currently underutilised and at risk of falling into disrepair without some future investment.
The Estate remains a significant employer and would like to create jobs by providing the right kind of space and opportunity for others to employ staff. The sensitive re-use and conversion of historic buildings (as at Wickcroft Farm shop, now Cobbs) means that new occupiers can provide a greater level of employment than before.
Proposals will involve minimal alterations to the external fabric of the original buildings and will enable the conservation of an important part of the village heritage whilst providing the opportunity for more people to work from the site once again, bringing a welcome boost to local services and helping to maintain a diverse rural economy.
