Maristow House in Devon (near Roborough), overlooking the Tavy estuary, is an 18th century house with a west front, shown here, much rebuilt in 1907 to the designs of Sir Ernest George. Peeping over the roof is the family chapel of the Lopes family added in 1871 by Piers St Aubyn.
Maristow House now glows in its new orange distemper but when the AMS first encountered it, it was empty and under threat from a formal application to demolish. We fought a 4-day public inquiry, where our key witness was Kit Martin, who said that he could convert it to houses and flats. The Inspector had faith in our argument and the application to destroy it was refused. It now stands solid and handsome in its new role as a multiple home. The chapel remains in the hands of the family.