ABOUT JERICHO - PLANNING
Multicolour makeover for ‘iconic’ Grantham
Grantham House sold
Posted - December 05, 2011Grantham house has been bought with finance from the Iconic Assets Heritage Acquisition Fund – an Asian-based fund established to acquire real estate with ‘significant historic, iconic or culturally important attributes’. Oxford firm, Riach Architects will be working on the redesign of the building which will have 29 residential units. This could include a new, ‘green’ roof.
Douglas Riach says: “The existing building envelope will be thermally upgraded with the introduction of modern glazing systems and an insulated external render system to over-clad the tired existing brickwork.This brings the opportunity to add colour as per the adjacent Observatory Street and Plantation Road.” The purchase was arranged by property entrepreneur Johnny Sandelson. His intention, for which he will shortly be applying for planning permission, is to “create a modern feature building that will provide vibrancy and vitality.” The Council says that proceeds from the sale of the site will be invested in affordable housing, with Jericho having first refusal.
Where the name Jericho comes from?
The name Jericho is probably taken from the parable of the Good Samaritan. Traditionally the name was given to places where travellers who arrived after the town gates had closed at sunset could find lodgings overnight.
About the church bells?
Originally the Church only had the single ‘Barney’s Bell’. In 1890, when the clock was installed, it was decided to add a set of tubular bells to ring the chimes and the hour strike, as well as a tune or ‘carillon’. The are driven by an elaborate mechanical contraption.