The Blake Cottage Trust has been given permission to demolish the 1969 extension to the Grade II* listed cottage in Blakes Road, Felpham, including the 20th century garage, leaving all 18th century masonry of the William Blake era building intact.

The poet and his wife Catherine lived in the 17th century cottage from 1800 to 1803 and during his time there wrote the verses "And did those feet in ancient time", the preface to his Milton: A Poem in Two Books, which were later set to music as the hymn "Jerusalem".

The trust’s application said this completes the partial removal of the 1969 extension previous approved under FP/129/25/HH and the remaining 18th century section of the Blake era garden wall (the lower part of the north west wall to the 1969 extension) will be fully retained during these works.

In their decision report, Arun District Council planning officers said: “The extension currently detracts from the appearance of the historic building, and its removal would have a positive impact on the appearance of the property.

placeholder image — Blake's Cottage in Felpham

“The proposal aims to restore the property to its early 19th century form, as Blake would have experienced it. This approach has been supported by the council's Conservation Officer, and Historic England, and the approach would deliver significant heritage benefits, in terms of enhancing public understanding of the cottage and its association with Blake.

"The application forms part of a programme of works to repair the building, ensuring its long-term retention and preservation.

"Following comments from Historic England and the Conservation Officer, conditions have been attached to ensure that the extension is demolished with care, and the remainder of the building and boundary walls are protected during these works.”

A design and access and heritage statement with the application said over the last year, trustees have secured the necessary funding to undertake emergency repairs, including a grant of £243,954 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“They have appointed highly respected specialists to conserve the fabric of the building, using an archaeologically driven approach and traditional methods and materials,” the statement said. “As works have progressed, they have engaged with experts to explore how the site might be best developed moving forwards, in fulfilment of the trust’s objectives.”

The trustees say the current building has ‘very successfully misled people about the circumstances of the Blakes’ lives for the last 150 years’.

"This mistake has occurred because the gentrified cottage of the mid-to-late 19th century has long been understood by the general-public and academics alike, as defining the Blakes’ experience in Sussex, whereas their circumstances were far more challenging, living in a cottage essentially built for agricultural labourers."

The decisioin can be viewed on the Arun planning portal using the search reference FP/197/25/PL.