Rishi Sunak MP seeks permission for repairs to constituency home

Rishi Sunak's family home at Kirby Sigston. Photo: Richtea/Wikimedia.

Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak has asked for permission to replace and repair rotten doors and windows at his constituency home.

Agents for the former Prime Minister and wife Akshata Murty have submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for repairs at Kirby Sigston Manor, near Northallerton.

Listed building consent is sought for work, including repairs and some replacements, on 23 windows and one door at the grade II listed property.

Work on around 40 other windows would be more minor and does not need planning permission.

The council’s conservation officer initially raised concerns that traditionally made panes of glass in some of the building’s earliest windows would be lost as part of the work.

Revised plans have been submitted, however, which would see these panes retained.

The repairs are set to be carried out by the Leyburn-based Biker Group.

An application by a previous owner of the property to replace the windows with double glazing was rejected by Hambleton District Council in 2007 due to the impact on the historic character.

The new application states that only single glazing would be used as part of a “conservation-led approach”.

A report accompanying the application by consultants ELG Heritage states: “The proposed works are minor works of upgrading to existing windows and replacement of individual sash panes where the condition is such that they are beyond reasonable repair.

“In all instances where replacement sashes are proposed these will be in like-for-like profile to match the existing window.

“The works proposed will allow the building to be retained in good order and made wind and watertight, in turn bringing benefits to the management of the fabric of the building as well as improving overall thermal performance for the homeowners.”

The MP attracted national headlines in 2021 when plans for an indoor swimming pool at the manor house were submitted to the district council.

The application was approved by councillors despite concerns that the development would harm the setting of the property.

In 2023, Greenpeace campaigners draped the  manor house with an oily-black fabric in protest at the then-Prime Minister’s plans to “max out” the UK’s oil and gas reserves.

A spokesperson for the MP declined to comment on the latest work.

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