Council approves demolition of historic Jane Austen house against local wishes

In Hampshire, England, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council made a controversial decision to permit the demolition of Ashe Park House, a property associated with famous novelist Jane Austen. The approval was granted on March 12, 2024, allowing the current owners, Shuk Ting Sharon Leung and Gillian Sin Hang Ho, to replace the existing structure with a traditional Queen Anne-style country house. Local residents and conservationists raised concerns about the historic significance of Ashe Park House, which Austen referenced in her letters, although the council argued that the building in its current state did not retain substantial historical value. The council’s decision stemmed from a report prepared by Historic England, which concluded that Ashe Park House lacked the criteria necessary to be listed due to its reconstructed nature, with significant alterations made during the 20th and 21st centuries. The report indicated that while the house's origins trace back to the 16th century, the structure that exists today mainly reflects changes made from the 1860s onward, raising questions about its authenticity regarding Austen’s connections. The property had also been given a Certificate of Immunity that indicates it would not be listed until 2029, reinforcing the council's stance. Despite objections from approximately twenty local residents, including Caroline Sykes and Deborah de Groot, who lamented the loss of a piece of local history, the council asserted that the building’s appeal and connection to tourism would not be adversely affected by its demolition since it is currently a private residence. Many locals expressed that the house held a valuable history, and groups like Save Britain's Heritage criticized the decision as a significant loss for Hampshire's cultural heritage. Austen's mentions of Ashe Park House in her correspondence with her sister Cassandra illustrate the estate's importance in her life, yet the council determined that there was no conclusive evidence linking the current structure to Austen’s literary contributions. This decision has led to further debates about heritage preservation, with advocates arguing for the retention of historically significant properties against the backdrop of modern developments that seek to replace them.