Number 9
No 9 Fore Street, Chard, forms part of a Grade I listed complex. No 9, with No7, is the better-preserved example of these two mirrored late-16th century houses, and contains the highly-significant C17th Court Room. Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust (SBPT), who obtained the lease for the building, appointed Thread to deliver design options for a viability proposal looking at suggested uses, whilst Architectural Heritage Funding enabled Thread to create a viability report to conserve & connect the community of Chard to the extensive history of Number 9 Fore Street. The aim - to restore it for communal use, for as wide a use as possible.
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The building forms part of the High Street HAZ portfolio - The £95 million government-funded High Streets Heritage Action to unlock the potential of high streets across England - making it a potential key hub for Chard and the surrounding areas. The building complex as a whole is highly significant for material evidence from the early 13th century (the origin of the burgage plot(s)) and for the extent and range of 16th and 17th fabric as the main building phases. The 16th century phase consists of a pair of large mirror plan courtyard type townhouses with extensive 17th century alterations. This would be an uncommon town centre survival without the addition of the spectacular courtroom to the west house of the pair.
The objective in undertaking this Options Appraisal is to work closely with the Heritage Business Consultant and our client, Somerset Building Preservation Trust, to imaginatively identify how this building can be adapted for viable use whilst retaining and even enhancing its heritage significance. This starts with developing a deep understanding of what makes this historic building so special.
