Conservation works planned for medieval Stonehouse wall

Plymouth City Council has been awarded £210,000 by English Heritage to carry out works to repair and protect a medieval wall in Stonehouse.

The wall, which forms a boundary between Stonehall Flats and the site owned by Princess Yachts, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and dates back to 1540. It used to defend the town of Stonehouse and is a rare example of medieval military architecture.

A 110-metre length of the wall survives and is included on the Heritage at Risk Register where it is described as at ‘grave risk’. Water penetration and the establishment of ivy and other vegetation have prised apart the stonework, leaving some areas unstable and in danger of collapse.

The project involves conserving ‘as found’ the middle 39 metres of the wall – the most important section as it is near to its original height and retains a parapet and sentry walk. The Council is contributing a further £51,700 towards the project and Plymouth Community Homes £3,500.

Local conservation company Westcountry Stonemasons have been appointed to carry out the works, which were drawn up by Le Page Architects. The works will involve stabilising the rock on which the wall sits to prevent further deterioration by creating an earth bank to retain the wall, as well as repointing and consolidating the wall.

Stonework repairs will also be carried out to a smaller section of wall next to 22 Stonehall Flats and a damaged gate pier at the entrance to the flats.

Deputy Leader Councillor Peter Smith said: “We are really pleased that English Heritage has awarded us funding to carry out this vital conservation work, which will help to prolong the life of the wall and protect one of the area’s most important historical features.”

Local ward councillor Sue McDonald said: “I am really pleased that part of the heritage of the people of Stonehouse is to be preserved for future generations. The Stonehouse Residents Association has campaigned for several years on this so this is very exciting news. We would like to thank local businesses including Princess Yachts, the Citroen Garage and Plymouth Community Homes as without their assistance we would not have been able to undertake this project.”

The works will take around five months to complete.