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Colin Barrow |
Leader faces trial over historic mansion work
Politician denies charges concerning former home
LEADER of Westminster City Council Colin Barrow is due to stand trial accused of making unauthorised alterations to his former £3million Suffolk mansion.
The ex-Suffolk county councillor allegedly carried out renovation work that changed the character of the listed 330-year-old Darsham House when he lived there four years ago.
Cllr Barrow appeared at Ipswich Crown Court last Friday with his ex-wife Angelica Barrow and Elizabeth Wilson-Smith to plead not guilty to nine charges of affecting the architectural and historical interest of the property between July 1 2004 and January 30 2006.
It is alleged that work, including the installation of radiators, plastering, removing decorative wall mouldings, and replacing floorboards and windows, was carried out at the 18-bedroom property without permission.
Cllr Barrow sold the mansion complete with swimming pool, tennis court and 60 acres of land, which was once owned by the theatrical agent Sara Low, in 2006.
Colin Barrow, 56, of Exhibition Road, South Kensington, Angelica Barrow, 45, of Vincent Square, Westminster and Elizabeth Wilson-Smith, 48, of Woodbridge, Suffolk, were released on unconditional bail.
A trial date has been set for January 11 next year.
The legal action follows an inquiry by planning chiefs at Suffolk Coastal District Council after the alleged offences emerged when new owners of the house moved in.
Built in 1679, in the village of Darsham near Yoxford, the mansion is recognised as one of Suffolk’s most outstanding country homes.
Cllr Barrow was a county councillor for Wickham Market from 1997 until standing down in 2003. In 2004 he bought Darsham House and applied to the district council for planning permission.
A spokesman for the district council confirmed that in January and December 2005 conditional listed building consent was given to a range of alterations and additions to the building.
The spokesman added: “It is a criminal offence under section 9 of the Planning Act 1990 to execute or cause to be executed without first obtaining listed building consent any works of alteration or extension which affects the character of a listed building.”
A spokesman for Westminster City Council said the court case was a “personal matter” for Cllr Barrow. |
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