PLANS are being put in place for the restoration of a Grade II listed property which was badly affected by fire.

On March 30, multiple emergency services were called to reports of a fire from a property in Boscastle, known as Moss Rose.

The fire caused substantial damage to both the property itself and the neighbouring property, known as Rosewarren, which is a Grade II listed building given its origins from the early 18th century.

Once the blaze had been extinguished, Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a man on suspicion of arson.

Mark Fury, 54, pleaded guilty in a hearing at Truro Crown Court, where it was said that the fire he started intentionally caused £240,000 worth of damage to Rosewarren, as well as a primary school on the other side of Moss Rose.

In sentencing him for three years imprisonment, Judge Simon Carr acknowledged that Mr Fury was very unwell at the time after the death of his mother, who had lived in the property.

Judge Carr during the sentencing remarks added that Mr Fury would not have known if the holiday home was occupied or not or if people had been working at the school even though there were no pupils there on a Sunday.

Almost three months later, plans are in place to repair the adjacent building, described during the court hearings as a ‘holiday home’.

In a pre-application advice enquiry to Cornwall Council, Ian Lapsley/Gateley Smithers Purslow sought the council’s views on their plans to restore the fire-damaged building.

The applicant was seeking to specifically know the council’s view on whether a Listed Building Consent application was needed to undertake like-for-like replacement works to the building.

In the response, Cornwall Council’s planning department said: “Unfortunately, the property has been damaged by fire, which started in the adjoining property Moss Rose (also a Grade II listed property). The need to make the building safe, secure and weatherproof is understood and there are temporary measures that can be put in place whilst investigations and decisions are being made by the insurers of the adjoining property.

“HEP have no concerns about necessary emergency works being carried out as a necessary measure. The property will be reinstated on a like for like basis where possible using appropriate and sympathetic materials in due course which are likely to be supported by HEP (subject to final details) and it is assumed this will run alongside an application/s for consent detailing the works and materials.

“I would recommend that you discuss your proposal and emergency works to be carried out to ensure they are aware that the works being undertaken are emergency works to the dwelling. Forrabury and Minster Parish Council and the contact details for the current Divisional Members can be found on the Council's website.”

Keep up to date with the latest planning applications and other statutory notices (such as alcohol licensing and probates) that affect where you live by visiting our online Public Notice Portal – be the first to know by visiting www.publicnoticeportal.uk/cornish-and-devon-post-series