Decaying 'nationally important' Grade I listed Surrey building to be saved in £1m repair deal

Waverley Borough Council signed off plans to restore the home of the Museum of Farnham, Willmer House, after agreeing to covering the £300,000 funding gap.

The authority had been successful in lining up grants, most notably from the Arts Council and the National Lottery, to covered the majority of the project’s costs.

The final projected bill is expected to be £1,286,713.74. With outside bodies covering £985,000, Waverley Borough Council has said it would fill the £301k void while it looks for new grants.

Farnham Town Council and Farnham Museum Society have said they would commit £10,000 each to the project as well.

The museum is considered one of Surrey’s most important buildings, with the townhouse retaining many of its original features, including a walled garden.

In recent years however it has fallen into disrepair and its problems are myriad, including decaying brickwork, collapsing second floor windows, and eroded mortar joints.

There is, the council said, “extensive decay” throughout and visible cracking.

Councillor Kika Mirylees, portfolio holder for community services and leisure, told the Wednesday September 4 executive committee that appointing contractors came after a “detailed and exhaustive” search with heritage experts to ensure “quality of service was uppermost in their minds” on “such a beautiful and nationally recognised building such as Wilmer House.”

The age and height of the building meant that not all parts of the upper floors and roofing could be accessed and there is the potential for added work.

Cllr Mirylees said: “Given the age of this Grade I listed building it is not impossible that other additional repairs would need to be done.”

The result is that the council has ringfenced a further £237,000 to cover any unforeseen work.

She said: “The team will continue to apply for additional external funding to reduce the cost to Waverley Borough Council” adding “there are irons in the fire for that.”

Cllr Liz Townsend, portfolio holder for planning said: “There is distorted brickwork in the building requiring a detailed brick by brick plan of action.

“It’s really important that we do secure its future, so that it can continue to serve the community for many years to come”

Cllr Merryweather, portfolio holder for finance added: “This building isn’t just important to Farnham and to Waverley, its a nationally important building.”

Willmer House was built in 1718 and you can still read the initials of its first owner, John Thorne, embossed on its drainpipe, if you look closely.

It later became a school and dental surgery.

The museum was founded 1961 and holds a dedicated collection of the town and borough’s history.

Highlights include a Bronze Age ring found in neighbouring Cranleigh.

In 2012 the building was bought by Waverley Borough Council from Surrey County Council.