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Chesworth Barn Restoration
When
HDC took over Chesworth Farm there was a certain
amount of concern about what they might do with it.
Public consultation reflected the general view that
development should be kept to a minimum, and in the
main it has been. The rusting dutch barns were replaced with a
Parks Department depot - now well screened by planting
- and the rather scruffy wooden stables were
demolished.
 More recently there’s been some general tidying up and
hedge planting. There was a bit of a furore in 2006
when junior football pitches were suggested for one of
the fields (thrown out after public outrage – the
Horsham Society played a significant part in this)
but the site seems to have settled into a low-key dual
role of part leisure amenity, part nature reserve. The
big worry has always been: what will they do with the
barn?
The building in question had been quietly
deteriorating over the years, its general air of decay
compounded by tarpaulins and Keep Out notices. But in
the summer of 2007 all that began to change. Planning
application had been granted for conversion to
artists’ studios - Chesworth Arts Farm - and the builders were about to move in.
 The
Horsham Society gave the news a cautious welcome:
the proposed use of the building wouldn’t be
unsuitable for its surroundings and, provided that the
conversion was done sympathetically and its occupancy
didn’t create too many traffic movements, it could
only be an improvement on the existing situation.
 The conversion work is now complete, and
it has without question been done sympathetically. Architect Nicolas Pople and builders Douch Partners are specialists in
conservation work and sustainable building; they have
used reclaimed or recycled materials wherever possible
and simple modern alternatives otherwise. The building
retains its character - it has not been over-restored.
 The
2-storey barn and adjacent single-storey building
contain internal and external (partly roofed) work
areas, with shower room and sinks downstairs and
rest-room/kitchenette on the first floor. The architect
has designed the space around existing door & window
openings, in fact many of the original window frames
have been retained. Lime render has been used, and the
wooden staircase was constructed from old church pews.
Hot water is provided partly by solar panels, and in
keeping with the eco-friendly theme the wall cladding
in the shower room is made from recycled plastic
bottles.
Before conversion the building was home to a variety
of wildlife and, although the pigeons have moved out,
provision has been made for bats and swallows to share
the building with the human occupants.
 The
vision for Chesworth Arts Farm has been developed
over the past four years by a small group of artists
based in Sussex & Kent. Their aim has been to
create a setting where they can work in an
inspirational environment and develop their
ideas both individually and communally. They specialise in the "dirty" arts -
sculpture, pottery, metalwork - and when we
visited the barn in May 2008 they had just started to move
their equipment in.
More photos»
Chesworth Arts Farm website»
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