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1.0 Background to the Brief
Brent Council requires the services and advice of an historic buildings consultant in the preparation and submission of a thorough and rigorous application for the demolition of the grade II statutorily listed Dollis Hill House.
The Council will secure these services through a competitive tendering process based on the requirements of this brief. Initially the Council is inviting and will require from all interested parties a fee proposal for the work described in Section 5.0 - “The Brief: Scope of the work”.
2.0 Context
2.1 Dollis Hill House is a Grade II listed building in a very poor state of repair which has led to the building being included on English Heritage's national register of “Listed Buildings at Risk”. The house has an enviable setting in the heart of suburban Brent but has suffered from two arson attacks that have significantly damaged the internal fixtures and fittings and destroyed the roof structure. Despite the extremely poor condition of the building, Brent Council has made significant efforts to secure development partners to repair and restore the house to contribute to the amenity of Gladstone Park, in which the house is set. The Potential of Dollis Hill House is severely reduced by its rather isolated position and transport accessibility. A number of proposals have been put to the Council, but unfortunately after rigorous scrutiny have not been considered to be economically sustainable in the long term.
The Council is very keen to support an appropriate and viable new use for the building and to this end has produced informal guidance to help potential purchasers and partners with the implication of planning and listed building constraints. Unfortunately, after many years of work the Council has to consider that a long term viable use may not be found for the building and if this is the case, the derelict structure will continue to be a health and safety liability. The Council has to take a pragmatic view on the future of Dollis Hill house and regretfully consider the option of demolition. This brief is the first phase in establishing the broader implications and rationale for demolition.
3.0 History and Status
3.1 The building was significantly damaged by fires in June 1995 and April 1996, the Stables block has avoided damage and is currently run as an exhibition space, cafe and community facility.
Dollis Hill House was built in 1825 by the Finches, a Willesden family, and by 1881 it had become the property of Lord and Lady Aberdeen. The house became the favourite residence of William Gladstone, an old friend of the Aberdeen's, who stayed there as a guest for long periods from 1882 to 1896. Gladstone, then in his 70s, was Prime Minister for much of this time and held meetings and parties at Dollis Hill with cabinet members and foreign dignitaries. It is this association more that any other factor which led to Dollis Hill House being included on the Statutory List. The Aberdeens eventually moved out in 1887, when Lord Aberdeen was appointed Governor-General of Canada. Shortly afterwards in 1899, the house and some 96 acres of land to the south of Dollis Hill Lane were purchased by Willesden Urban District Council. The park was named after William Gladstone and opened to the public by Lord Aberdeen in 1901. Hugh Gilzean-Reid occupied the house after the Aberdeens moved out and stayed on after the Council bought it. Gilzean-Reid was a wealthy newspaper proprietor and he invited Mark Twain, the American author, to stay at Dollis Hill in the summer of 1900; Twain was greatly taken with the peaceful atmosphere of the place. The ground floor was converted into tea-rooms in 1909 and the house became a convalescent home and open-air hospital during the First World War. It was altered and extended many times over the years and listed in 1974 for its historic, rather than architectural, importance. The house was subsequently used as a catering college until this closed in 1989. (“Mansions at Risk in Public Parks in London”, Paul Drury Partnership. 2005)
The Stables are now operated as an independent building and are not considered to be within the scope of this project and will not be considered for demolition.
4.0 Listed Building Description
The Listing Building description reads:
5006 GLADSTONE PARK
Dollis Hill Lane
NW2
Dollis Hill House
TQ 28 NW 2/4 23.1.74 II
Built in 1825 by the Finches, a Willesden family, and later became the property of the Earl of Aberdeen and a favourite residence of Mr Gladstone, who stayed as a guest here for long periods between 1882 and 1896 (plaque). A square, 2-storey, 3-window house in yellow stock brick, with hipped slate roof and boxed eaves. Entrance front: wide central doorway and double door with fanlight, in stucco porch arcaded at sides, with pilaster treatment and rosettes in frieze, supporting cast iron balcony with stucco piers. To the right the front is built out to the line of the porch, with cement cornice and blocking course (probably later extension). The east front overlooking the park is plain with ground floor windows altered to doors, and wood and glass veranda for restaurant. North front has projection to left with cornice, as entrance front. West front towards Dollis Hill has service extensions. Graded for its historic rather than architectural importance
Listing NGR: TQ2230686004
Aerial Photograph: Dollis Hill House
5.0 The Brief: Scope of the work
5.1 The Council is inviting appropriately qualified and experienced consultants to submit a fee proposal for the provision of historic buildings consultancy services leading to the submission of a listed building consent application for the demolition of Dollis Hill House.
The fee proposal should include a fixed fee quotation for the production of a report and submission of an application for demolition - and either an hourly or day rate for representation at any subsequent hearings or inquires. It is envisaged that the scope of the works will include:
Background research to establish sufficient evidence to satisfy the requirements of the “Sequential test” described in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15. (Paragraphs 3.16 - 3.19)
Analysis and rationalisation of the archive materials held by the Council to develop a rigorous argument for the case for demolition. The case should be developed in consideration of the balance of repair costs, future sustainability and rental values. There have been number of informal offers of grant aid and any argument should take into account this leverage.
Background research to establish sufficient evidence to satisfy the requirements of the “Sequential test” described in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15. (Paragraphs 3.16 - 3.19)
Develop the Council's case in relation to the exceptional efforts made to inclusively market Dollis Hill House on a number of occasions.
Establish the Council's flexibility in offering the house for sale with the potential for a number of alternative uses.
Explain the practicalities of long term preservation and the scarcity of surviving original fabric and its implication for the rigour and value of any future restoration.
V) Identify any other supporting information such as precedents and case studies background information that will support the case for demolition.
5.3 As appropriate, carry out any informal consultation (over and above formal Consultation by the planning service) and liaison required to expedite the application process. However, the proposal to demolish Dollis Hill House is contentious not only locally, but regionally and nationally and the Council would expect confidentiality in any informal consultations. In any event The Council will expect a close working relationship and liaison with officers and elected members to properly manage consultation.
5.4 The Council will expect the production of a comprehensive report to support the listed Building Consent application in response to the requirements of the “Sequential test”.
5.5 Submission of the appropriate forms and certificates to enable the successful registration and processing of the application. - Both through the Local Authority, Government Office for London (GOL) and Central Government scrutiny process.
5.6 Any informal representation or liaison required by and with the statutory bodies'. Including English Heritage the DCMS, GOL, the Victorian Society and other Statutory Consultees.
6.0 Project Management
6.1 Any interested party submitting a fee projection for the work must also indicate their ability to commence the work in early 2009 and supply a simple programme with appropriate regular reporting to enable the efficient completion of the work.
6.2 In support where appropriate, Council officers who have significant experience of the history and background to the house will be available to the successful party for consultation and clarification.
7.0 Fee Proposal
All parties wishing to submit a fee proposal for the work described above must respond within the deadline to the Council's brief with:
A letter of interest outlining their fee expectation as a fixed sum for the report and formal submission for consent to demolish.
An hourly or daily rate for representation at any subsequent hearings or inquiries.
A company profile indicating experience within the historic buildings field and Curriculum Vitae of the individual consultants who will be undertaking the work.
Indication of a start date in 2009 and a simple programme for completion of the project to include regular progress report meetings.
8.0 Tendering Process
8.1 All Tenders must be submitted by 12:00 pm on Friday 30th January 2009 and must include the information requested in Sections 7.0 above.
Tenders should be delivered to the following address:
Mark Smith
Design and Regeneration Team
Brent House,
349, High Road,
Wembley HA9 9HD
8.2 The Council will hold an open meeting on the 20th of January 2009 at Brent House 349, High road, Wembley, where the brief can be clarified and expanded upon in the presence of all tendering parties prior to submission of final tenders.
9.0 Contacts
9.1 A number of Brent Council officers have been involved with Dollis Hill House over many years and their experience and knowledge will be invaluable in the development of a case for demolition. However, during the Tender process the Councils Contact officer will be:
Mark Smith
The Planning Service
Brent Council
Brent House,
349 High Road,
Wembley, London HA9 6BZ Tel: 0208 937 5267 Email: [email address]
London Borough of Brent Dollis Hill House
Consultancy Brief 1
Dollis Hill
House
Brent
Council
Planning
Service
Brief
Historic Building
Consultancy
Services
