Devizes Castle wall to be dismantled for restoration work access

"Urgent conservation-led repairs" are required.

Author: Chris TatePublished 13th May 2024

Devizes Castle is to have a curtain wall dismantled to allow vehicle access for restoration work.

It's been approved by Wiltshire Council along with "urgent conservation-led repairs" to the 19th century grade 1 listed castle.

The owner, Mr Kazuhiko Akao, applied for permission, reporting that “inadequate” previous maintenance had left roofs leaking, boundary walls collapsing and parapets wobbling.

A section of the wall at the access point from Castle Road can now be dismantled to allow construction vehicles access to carry out repair work.

According to the application, the wall has “fragments of stonework originating from the castle and possibly material salvaged from elsewhere, including the mid-19th century refacing of the adjoining church of St John the Baptist.”

It states that the dismantled stonework will be set aside in a secure, weather-proof environment whilst the work is carried out.

It also adds that all works proposed to be carried out will be done so in a “careful and sensitive manner” and will be undertaken by “a specialist tradesman using appropriate methods.”