The future for Belle Vue?

I understand that later in the month there is to be a consultation about the future of the Belle Vue area in Sudbury.

I am not sure what is now being proposed for the redbrick late Victorian pile, Belle Vue House. There are people, I know, who are vehemently opposed to its demolition.  In my view however this is based on sentiment rather than the house’s claims to any particular architectural merit. It would also need a lot of money spent on it to restore it to a good state of repair.

I have looked on the Babergh website where some plans are available, but think that in order to get the full picture I will need to go to one of the proposed ‘engagement events’ and ask some questions. Having worked at the CAB for several years I do not have particular happy memories of Belle Vue House.  Prior to the recent, largely cosmetic, remodelling of the interior, it was not a comfortable place to be.  We endured cold in winter, heat in summer, tiny rooms and a seriously creepy, damp and spider infested cellar. On one occasion the former manager leant against the wall of the ‘billiard room’ and suddenly found herself in the open air as part of the damp pervaded wall crumbled away.  The house does however have some charms.  Some rooms retain traces of their former glory, it has a pleasant view over the park, and I recall that the stained glass window on the staircase is attractive and probably worth conserving.

The current Victorian house replaced a far more attractive eighteenth century construction.  This was built by Thomas Gainsborough’s first cousin on his mother’s side, Nathanial Burrough.  He was a successful London grocer, who founded a Fortnum and Mason’s type establishment in Throgmorton Street. Having made his fortune in the groceries trade he returned to Sudbury and built the first Belle Vue.  If it were the future of this long gone villa that was under threat I think I would be more concerned.

The former Belle Vue House in 1840

The proposals for the Belle Vue area are available to view on the Babergh website, and there is an opportunity to express your views here.  For those wishing to know more there are three public engagement events later in August.  Two will be held on August 14, one at Sudbury Town Council Offices in the Mayor’s Parlour from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and the other at Belle Vue House itself from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.  The third event will take place on Saturday 23 August from 12 noon until 3 p.m. in Belle Vue Park (near the Cabin)