RNJ chosen as priory cost consultant

Aug 24 2007 by Rebekah Ashby, The Journal

CONSTRUCTION consultant RNJ has been appointed as cost consultant on the £6m renovation of the National Trust’s Nostell Priory.

The Newcastle-based firm will oversee the cost of the restoration of the Priory’s mansion house and stable block, just outside Wakefield, back to their 18th Century splendour.

There will also be work to create an additional visitor centre, complete with ticket office, shop, restaurant, kitchens, toilets and a function suite for corporate events, in the stables of the property.

Nostell Priory is most famous for its magnificent interiors by the architects James Paine and Robert Adam as well as its superb collection of furniture by Thomas Chippendale.

RNJ partner John Gibson said: “The stables will give visitors a fresh welcome to the property that is in keeping with the heritage of the Priory and all renovations will be completed in a manner sympathetic to the original architecture.”

Dennis Wright, of The National Trust, said: “Having worked with RNJ on several other restoration schemes, they were the first port of call for the cost advice associated with quinquennial repairs and refurbishment of the stable block.

“I’m pleased to be working alongside RNJ again and I’m confident in their renovation expertise and reliability that this scheme can be programmed to run with minimal interruption to visitors.”

The five-year programme, expected to commence in 2008, will see architect Rodney Melville and Partners, Warwickshire, work alongside RNJ to complete the renovations. RNJ has been involved in a number of historic building renovation projects including Holy Jesus Hospital and Alderman Fenwick’s House in Newcastle, Cragside House, Wallington Mansion and the Old Gaol and Moot Hall at Hexham.