Former Washroom at Historic Caerwent House Could Become Library Described as “Scriptorium”

A FORMER washroom at an historic grade II-listed house could be converted to a library described as a “scriptorium”. 
The term was used for writing rooms in Medieval monasteries where monks, as well as scribes and illustrators, would write and copy manuscripts. 
A Mr and Mrs Orchard have submitted the application for planning permission to redevelop the outbuilding at their home, Caerwent Magna, in Caerwent, into a home office and library they describe as a scriptorium. 
Their application states: “The scriptorium will be a space where a library of books will be stored, a place for reading, studying and writing.” 
Caerwent Magna, Latin for large, was created when the former Caerwent House was divided into two, in 2024, following a seven-year restoration project by charity the Spitalfields Trust that was founded by architectural historian and TV presenter Dan Cruickshank. 
The house dates back to the late 16th or early 17th century and was at risk of collapse when Monmouthshire County Council compulsorily purchased it in 2016 and passed ownership to the trust dedicated to preserving historic buildings.  
Though Caerwent House may be more than 327 years old it was substantially rebuilt and remodelled in the in the early 19th century and grade II listed in 1985. The council had served a repairs notice on the property in 2013 due to concern at its poor condition. 
Caerwent House is next to the remains of a Roman temple, but outside the boundaries of the scheduled ancient monument. 
After it was divided into Caerwent Magna and Parva (small) and put up for sale in 2024 Mr Crushank, writing for property website Inigo, described Caerwent as “one of the most historically important townships in Britain” due to its origins as a Roman-style market town. 
Though the wash house outbuilding was restored as a garage or workshop during the restoration project, which got underway in 2017, Mr and Mrs Orchard, in their application, state upgrades are required to its fabric and to make it habitable including installation of a heritage roof light in its south facing roof. 
A report included with their application states advice has been sought from structural engineers who concluded: “The joists of the existing roof structure would not support additional book storage, but with modest intervention it would be possible to increase the load capacity to standard residential requirements for light storage.” 
The wash house is currently used to store books and other household objects. 
Monmouthshire County Council’s planning department is considering the application and people have until Tuesday, August 25 to comment on the plans.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​