The owner of a 300-year-old cottage who sparked outrage by demolishing the historic local landmark without planning permission has broken her silence.
Expectant mother Natalie Matthews said she ‘deeply regretted’ knocking down the beloved 17th century cottage – claiming she was in a ‘difficult and overwhelming situation’.
Ms Matthews added she had planned to restore it and sell it to fund building her dream home on the adjoining plot.
However, she claims that when she began investigating the building, she discovered how ‘structurally unsound’ it was and that there was ‘nothing meaningful left to restore’.
She said she took the decision to demolish it, but admits she should have followed the proper planning processes.
The expectant mother said she is now ‘working closely’ with the local council to complete a rebuild that ‘reflects the charm and character’ of the demolished cottage.
Locals were left up in arms last week when Wychwood Cottage, in the village of Nursling, Hampshire, was suddenly demolished.
The building, which was regarded as the hallmark of the local parish and was featured on the front cover of a book about local history, was torn down within an hour.
Ms Matthews said she bought Wychwood Cottage for £350,000 with help from family and a bridging loan as she was unable to mortgage the property.
The mother, who has a 10-year-old son and is expecting another child in August, added she currently lives in a social housing flat and getting on the property ladder ‘felt impossible’.
According to Ms Matthews, the cottage was ‘too far gone’ with the front elevation being pushed outward by over-thatching, the chimney had failed as well as roof timbers and rafters, and had only one structurally sound wall.
In a statement posted online, Ms Matthews explained she felt she had no choice but to rebuild.
She added that her intention was not to ‘disrespect’ the village history or to ‘act recklessly’.
Ms Matthews said: ‘Like many in my generation, getting onto the housing ladder has felt impossible. I’ve been trapped in the rental cycle, with little hope of ever owning a home in the village where I grew up.
‘When Wychwood Cottage came back on the market, I saw a rare chance, with the help of family and a bridging loan (as the property was unmortgageable), to create a stable home for my children.
‘My intention was always to renovate the cottage, sell it, and use the funds to build a home for us on the neighbouring plot, then remortgage to repay my bridging loan.
‘But things changed once we began work. After stripping off the thatched roof, we discovered just how structurally unsound the building really was.
‘We were faced with rebuilding nearly the entire structure. At that point, after taking advice, it felt clear there was nothing meaningful left of the original building to restore. I made the decision to rebuild.
‘Looking back, I accept that I should have paused, taken further advice, and followed the correct planning process before making such a decision.
‘I take full responsibility for that and deeply regret my actions and any upset caused. But please understand, my intention was never to disrespect the history of the village or act recklessly.
‘I was trying to make the safest and most practical decision in a very difficult and overwhelming situation.’
In comments underneath her post, some people were supportive of the mother’s actions while others criticised her for having ‘no thought for the village or history’.
Angela Cazeaux added that if something seemed ‘too good to be true’ it probably was.
Another commenter, Bex Fouch, was more supportive, saying she wished Ms Matthews ‘every success’.
She said: ‘Anything relating to building and renovation can be so stressful at the best of times, with curveballs at every turn. I wish you every success with your project.’
Damelia Forrester said some in the village were ‘rude nosey busy bodies’.
According to her Facebook profile, Ms Matthews works at Virtual Vibes which offers bespoke business services including accounting, administration and call forwarding.
She said she hoped her post would provide some ‘clarity’ to the situation.
