Natalie Matthews, a mother of two, has submitted plans to rebuild a 300-year-old cottage in Nursling, Hampshire, which she unlawfully demolished nearly a year ago, sparking considerable outrage among local residents.
Matthews stated her initial intention was to renovate the 17th-century thatched property and sell it to fund the construction of her dream family home on an adjacent plot. However, she claimed that upon inspection, the two-bedroom cottage was found to be "structurally unsound" and beyond repair, leaving "nothing meaningful to restore." The building was subsequently demolished in under an hour.
The cottage, a recognized local landmark that had featured on the cover of a book about local history, was reduced to rubble, much to the disbelief of neighbors. Following the intense scrutiny and local outcry, Matthews expressed deep regret for the demolition, attributing her actions to a "difficult and overwhelming situation."
She has now applied for planning permission to rebuild the house. The prospect of the cottage's return has been welcomed by many residents who had hoped for its distinctive thatched appearance to be restored.
Nicola Winnard, a resident of Nursling for 21 years, described the demolition as "disgusting" and expressed her thrill at the prospect of the cottage being rebuilt with its original thatched roof. "The whole of my street were up in arms when it happened," she said. "We always admired it and it was part of the community."
Matthews purchased Wychwood Cottage for £350,000, relying on family assistance and a bridging loan due to the property's unmortgageable status. She was previously living in social housing with her two children and had described the challenge of acquiring property as feeling "impossible."
She detailed the cottage's poor condition, citing outward pressure from over-thatching, a failed chimney, damaged roof timbers and rafters, and only one structurally sound wall. "Looking back, I accept that I should have paused, taken further advice, and followed the correct planning process before making such a decision," Matthews said in a statement posted online.
Test Valley Borough Council had previously stated its intention to ensure the situation was rectified and insisted on the rebuilding of the cottage. Councillor Phil Bundy, Planning Portfolio Holder at Test Valley Borough Council, commented, "It was always the council's intention to press for the situation to be rectified. Nobody wanted to see it go and it had been there for a very long time. I am hoping the new cottage will reflect what was there before it was demolished."
Pam Leith, a resident for 26 years, shared her happiness about the rebuilding plans, calling the original demolition a "sad loss to the village." Iain Mackillon, a resident for a decade, noted the demolition was a "real shock" and viewed the rebuilding plans as a positive sign that "you can't flout planning rules."