by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Thomas Hardy’s home in Dorchester, which he designed, is to have a series of repairs and improvements.
Max Gate on Alington Avenue is managed by the National Trust and, at more than 140 years old, is now beginning to show its age.
The works planned at the property, a Grade 1 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.
Other listed building works, now approved by Dorset Council, include external alteration to reroof the existing slate roof over the scullery.
Hardy, who started life as an architect, is credited with the design and overseeing of the construction, which took place between 1883 and 1885.
He 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.
His design include area where the author could walk in the garden, unseen, and doors where he could make an exit if about to be visited by people he did not want to meet.
Other works carried out at the property in recent years by the National Trust include a new driveway and repairs and the partial-replacement of section of the boundary wall which was deemed to be potentially unsafe.
