The likely future of an at risk listed building "in slow decay" has been revealed.
Little Cassiobury is a Grade II*listed building thought to be a dower house built for Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Essex, in the late 17th century.
An assessment by Historic England described the building as "in slow decay with no solution agreed."
It now looks likely that the Little Cassiobury Community Interest Company (CIC) will be able to secure £4-5million in a third National Lottery grant.
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If this happens, Hertfordshire County Council has reportedly agreed to transfer the site to the CIC to save the building.
Alex Macgregor Mason is a director at the CIC, he said: “A third grant would get enough funds to bring Little Cassiobury into community use.
“We want to use the funding to restore it to use and make it available for creative arts, particularly arts wellness and therapy in Watford’s diverse community.”
Although the building is owned by Hertfordshire County Council, Watford Borough Council has been working to secure a future for the site.
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “We only have three Grade II* buildings in Watford, including Little Cassiobury, so they are very important to us.
“The previous surveys undertaken at Little Cassiobury give us much more understanding of its history.
"They show that whilst there has been a deterioration in the physical condition of the building over the years, it is possible to restore the building and provide a new use for the space.
“A building inspection is planned over the next few months, we hope to continue to make progress with this.”
As a Grade II* listed building, Little Cassiobury is among the top 8% of the most important listed buildings in the country, due to being a “particularly important building of more than special interest.”
Mr Macgregor Mason added: “There are very few preindustrial buildings left in Watford and this is a very good example.
“A lovely extension was also added to Little Cassiobury by a very famous architect, Clough Williams-Ellis, who also designed and built Portmeirion, “The Village” from the TV show The Prisoner.”
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