A Grade II listed mansion will soon be home to flats after a planning application was granted permission.

Ramsgate based architects, del Renzio & del Renzio, has been given the go-ahead from Thanet District Council to covert Townley House, a property from the late Georgian/Regency period and its associated grounds.

The approved scheme from property developers CorePi, will see the construction of residential apartments and a gated development of mews houses, car parking and communal spaces.

The development will retain, restore and reintroduce a range of the building's original architectural features, to help return Townley House and grounds to its former grandeur, following years of neglect.

Renovation and remodelling of the main house, which was until recently Farley's furniture store, will result in ten self-contained flats which will trace the original outline layout of the building.

The demolition of a rear extension, late Edwardian shops and warehouse building on the site, will enable nine contemporary dwelling to be constructed - along with parking, landscaping and boundary treatments.

Nick Naumann, director of CorePi who owns the house, said: "We are delighted to enter the next stage of development of Townley House in Ramsgate.
"This project is important for the entire local community - both residents and businesses.

"It combines beautiful architecture, the restoration of a landmark building and contemporary housing.

"We look forward to the future and the positive impact the development will have."

Townley House, which sits on Chatham Street, was designed in 1792 and is considered one of the most important buildings in Ramsgate.

It was designed by one of the country's finest female architects, Mary Townley.

The construction of Mary's ambitious design was funded by husband Charles Townley, an landowner and developer in the late 18th century who also built part of Albion Place, Spencer Square and the Royal Crescent.

It was originally a family home for the couple and their eight children, surrounded by extensive grounds containing pleasure gardens, graperies, an ice house and a well.

The Townleys were a highly influential couple and held balls and social gatherings, which were attended by the gentry and nobility of the era, including a visit from the Duchess of Kent and a young princess Victoria in the 1820s.

The building had fallen into a state of disrepair by the 1960s, and applications were made for its demolition to make way for a petrol station and vehicle showroom in 1965.

Fortunately, Townley House was not demolished, and although the grounds and original features of the house were vastly diminished by this time, it was granted Grade II listing in 1974.

Ivan del Renzio, founding partner of del Renzio & del Renzio, said: "The Townley House project is a sensitive redevelopment of a very important part of Ramsgate's fascinating social and architectural history.

"As born and bred locals, based in Ramsgate, it's an extremely prestigious project to be working on and we're excited to be part of it."