PLANS to secure the future of an historic manor house have been submitted to West Berkshire Council. 

Praxis Real Estate Management has submitted a planning application to convert Aldermaston Manor and its listed parkland, which is currently on Historic England’s heritage ‘at risk’ register.

As previously reported in The Gazette, the prime 140-acre estate, which includes a Victorian Grade II listed manor house, as well as office buildings and stables, has been vacant since 2008. 

The site was bought by Praxis Holdings in 2014 with the intention for long-term investment.

The proposed plans would see the manor house converted into 23 apartments and 227 new homes built on the old disused cricket pitch. 

If approved, the new development would include two and three-bedroom terraced houses, and larger four and five-bedroom detached properties. 

If West Berkshire Council gives the proposed plans the green light A number of the historic assets on the site would be repaired and the parkland removed from the ‘at risk’ register through a renovation programme put forward by the developers. 

Managing director for Praxis, Steve Faber, said: “The 227 homes we are proposing will provide housing that is much needed in West Berkshire and we have worked hard with our team to ensure that the application locks in a requirement to provide high quality homes with the least impact on the local environment as is possible. 

“We have thought carefully about the mix of house types and sizes and aim to create a new community of varying household sizes that will sit comfortably in the locality.”

Praxis purchased the manor house, which used to operate as a 33-bedroom hotel, for £4.7 million back in 2014, and has been engaged with the community to get their opinions on what would best suit the area. 

The application is being made as an ‘Enabling Development’ with The new housing would specifically to fund the restoration works.