by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Repairs are being planned by the National Trust for Thomas Hardy’s former home at Max Gate, Dorchester.
Changes to the Alington Avenue home, a listed building, include external alterations to the rainwater goods on the western side of the property, along with new lead flashing and other minor roof works. The application also includes stripping slates from the southern bay window and replacing the first bay of the lead roof, all to improve weather protection for the building which was constructed between 1883 and 1885.
Hardy and his wife moved into the house in June 1885, remaining until his death in 1928, during which time he wrote major works including Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
The imposing house was designed by Hardy taking advantage of his early working life as an architect before becoming an author.
