Topsham’s ‘beautiful’ museum to be restored

'Hopefully we can unpick some of the damage that was previously done'

Planners have given their unanimous backing to a scheme to repair and restore a key piece of Exeter’s maritime history.

The city council owns the building in The Strand at Topsham which houses the town’s popular museum, which is currently closed and shrouded in scaffolding.

It had to apply to itself for listed building consent to go ahead with repairs to the 17th century merchant’s house.

The Society for the Protection on Ancient Buildings (SPAB) had been the only objector to the proposal, saying windows should be repaired rather than replaced, and making other observations about how floor joists and roof trusses should be handled.

However, a meeting of the city council’s planning committee heard that the work was outside the society’s brief.

There will be roof and floor repairs along with work to fix external masonry and walls. A parapet will be rebuilt and 20th century windows in a sail loft will be replaced. Cement render will be replaced with lime, and modern shutters will also be replaced.

The aim is to repair failing structural elements and replace inappropriate modern additions, conserving the building’s ‘important historic fabric’.

Topsham Labour councillor Gemma Rolstone said: “If we don’t do something here we are going to exacerbate the problems in this beautiful building that was gifted to the people of Topsham as a museum.

“Listed buildings need lots of care and attention. Hopefully we can unpick some of the damage that was previously done, and do a sensitive restoration of this very beautiful building.”