Estate cottages bid for loft conversion

Loft space in a building at a Shropshire National Trust estate could soon be converted into offices if new plans get the go-ahead.

Bosses of the Grade I listed building at Attingham Park at Atcham, near Shrewsbury, have applied to Shropshire Council for listed building consent to carry out internal alterations at

The Bothy cottages at the site. They want to convert the loft space into offices and storage.

The plans would include the installation of a staircase and loft ladder, alterations to the kitchen layout and installation of a log burner and radiators.

A design and access statement says: "The Bothy cottages are recently almost completely rebuilt using 18th century bricks in Flemish garden wall bond, two-light horizontal sliding sashes, plush ledge and brace doors, clay tiles pitched gable roof and central stack.

"The cottages were unused and remained locked in 1995 but since the plan to reinstate the walled garden in 2007 has come to life the cottages have been used as a base for the gardeners working in the walled garden and frame yard. There is currently a gardener's office space - new extension, working kitchen and two interactive public areas that are used for interpretation."

The statement says that new office space is desperately needed at the Attingham Park site.

It says: "The aim of the National Trust is to make its properties self-sufficient and in order to do this the remaining three quarters of the walled garden are to be put back into production.

"In order to be able to maintain the ever increasing planted area in the walled garden, additional staff and volunteers are required and these additional people need office, storage and rest facilities.

It adds: "The proposal to increase the amount of space required to accommodate future additional staff is to convert the loft spaces into office and storage space."