I read with interest the article regarding this house and also the subject of listed buildings etc.

In the country as a whole, there seems to be a drop in value of housing and particularly large properties such as this when they are eventually sold.

The same might be said for Hackwood House, being the former home of the Berry family, former owners of The Daily & Sunday Telegraph... I think that the sensible thing to do with these large mansions on such pretty estates is to split them up into upmarket apartments, something that has been going on for some time.

But, has the private rented sector been ruined by our present government?

Debbie Reavell, (who works hard in respect of the Basingstoke Heritage Society), mentions the grade two listing with the Ash House in Steventon. That is presumably with Historic England.

There is also the listing system with Hampshire County Council known as SMR's, being scheduled monument records.

With the Basingstoke Heritage Society, its listing system with the well-known blue plaques does set our town apart.

However, being listed, sadly, does not make the difference it should.

The cost of maintaining buildings built with skills no longer used is high, with 20 per cent VAT on top.

This is why some farmers are not happy to see their two-hundred-year-old barns being listed.

They then often let them fall down or catch fire. 

Winklebury Ring. This is listed by both Historic England and Hampshire County Council.

With the help of David Hopkins, (Hampshire County Council's archaeologist, with environmental), going through the evidence, it does look as though Fort Hill school was built on a site that was used for various military purposes.

It is not only the listing that requires reevaluating.

All the best,

Paul FitzPatrick,

Winklebury Way

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