Apethorpe Hall is a vastly impressive Grade I listed building. Formed around two courtyards, a significant portion of the building’s fabric pre-dates the reign of Henry VIII. Seat of the Fane family for nearly three hundred years, during the twentieth century Apethorpe became home to Leonard Brassey MP, then a school and from 1982 home to an owner who lived overseas. The last owner’s plans to convert the building to new use were not realised and the condition of the uninhabited building deteriorated. In 1999 East Northamptonshire Council’s longstanding campaign, to encourage the building’s owner to invest in Apethorpe Hall’s maintenance and repair, was taken on by English Heritage. The Practice has been involved at Apethorpe since 1996 and over the course of recent years has undertaken numerous surveys of condition and produced several schedules of repair. In his role as an authority on the condition of the building, at the Apethorpe Hall Public Inquiry, Mark Balkham (a Director of this Practice) gave evidence on behalf of English Heritage and the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The Public Inquiry was concluded in the favour of the DCMS and following compulsory purchase of the Hall, associated buildings and park, English Heritage undertook a major scheme of repairs. Appointed as Architect for the project, the Practice directed a programme of emergency repairs in preparation for the main contract. Contract dated March 2006 – May 2015. Value: £6 million - Repairs to the external and internal fabric (Phases 1 and 2) of the Grade I Listed Hall, incorporating the repair of the fabric of the South and East Ranges and Principal State Rooms, attached House and Granary and Stables. Rodney Melville & Partners were appointed lead consultant and provided full architectural services. The Practice also provided specialist advice for a Public Inquiry, carried out condition surveys and administered urgent works.