Gillian Darley hopes that Witherford Watson Mann’s design for Astley Castle for the Landmark Trust “signals that conjectural restoration has been consigned to the scrapheap” (Opinion August 16).

Astley Castle by Witherford Watson Mann

Source: Helene Binet

The castle’s appearance remains largely unchanged as the new house squats parasitically within the old

She goes on to say that “the notion that a replica of what was (or, more likely, might have been) is an appropriate solution to the revival of a building of quality, castle or not, has been given a run for its money”. Where does this leave us with buildings like Culzean Castle restored by Robert Adam, Helmingham Hall restored by John Nash, Windsor Castle restored by Jeffry Wyatt-ville, or Scarisbrick Hall restored by Augustus and Edward Pugin?

Do we conclude that these designers were somehow misguided, and if they had the benefit of living today they would not have done what they did? And that English Heritage and others made a mistake in designating these buildings as worthy of listing as buildings of architectural merit or as scheduled monuments?

If so, should we be urging the authorities to delist them? I don’t think those outside the profession would agree. I suggest Darley reads, or rereads, Pugin’s Contrasts and reminds herself others had very different theories about how a castle should be restored. What is considered today may be not thought so by future generations.

Peter Cooke
London SE5

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