AN appeal to have the historic home Undershaw, listed as a Grade I or even a Grade II* building has been turned down by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The decision means Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's former home – designed and lived in by the Sherlock Holmes author for 10 years – will not have full protection against redevelopment, by remaining a Grade II building. It will also mean less grant aid for repairs. The Victorian Society had appealed to the ministry saying its historic importance was indisputable as the home of one of the best-known authors in the English language. It questioned the lack of consistency in grading, and cites other examples of listed houses associated with literary figures; for example JRR Tolkein's home was listed, but not CS Lewis'. A letter to leading campaigner John Gibson and to the Haslemere Society from the DCMS, broke the news just before Christmas. Although the Secretary of State accepted the original decision understated the importance of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as an author, he backed English Heritage's advice not to upgrade Undershaw. Mr Gibson, who has written a biography of Conan Doyle, said: "I am disappointed that Undershaw has not been recognised as it should. But the other side of the coin maintaining just Grade II will allow a more flexible approach for use as a hotel-to allow tourist access. "I understand only a few of the reviews are ever successful – well under 10 per cent. So we were never in with much of a chance, although I thought our case was very good. "One could ask for a judicial review by the High Court. But this is not really on, it can be hugely expensive and is almost unheard of for this type of case." Haslemere Society chairman David Smith said: "We are obviously disappointed that a building with such an important historical interest is not going to be listed Grade I, but the society will be continuing to fight to preserve the building and we are pursuing different approaches to do that." Minister James Purnell, said in his decision: "All parties accept that the architectural interest of Undershaw alone, does not merit the higher grade and if the building does merit listing at Grade I or II*, it will be on the basis of its historic special interest." Although there were some surviving original features, such as the stained glass windows, which merited listing, not enough had been saved, from the time of Conan Doyle, to meet the criteria for a higher grade. "The extension, loss of internal features and internal alterations made when the building was converted to a hotel have all had a significant effect and the Secretary of State accepts English Heritage's view that "were Conan Doyle to return he would find both the appearance and the feel of his old home much altered". He concludes: "Undershaw Hotel does not have the exceptional or more than special interest to merit upgrading to Grade I or Grade II*. However, he backed an "enhanced listed description" that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a leading, and popular literary, and public figure of the late 19th century and early 20th Century. During his 10 years at Undershaw he wrote several of his best-known works, most notably Hound of the Baskervilles and the Return of Sherlock Holmes. "This literary association, and the house's architectural interest is reflected in its existing listing at Grade II," the Secretary of State concluded. Mr Gibson disagreed with English Heritage's assessment the building had overtly changed. He explained: "The heraldic windows, doors, staircase etc. are all of Doyle's time and the site boundaries and view, described by Bram Stoker as "An endless sea of greenery", are all the same." He added: "The most important thing about Undershaw was that Doyle had the house built for himself – rare for a writer. Thomas Hardy, who had architectural training, is the only other that comes to mind. "Doyle did some of his best work in this house. The creators of Dracula, Peter Pan and Raffles all visited Doyle there." At least Undershaw's 'at risk status' had been highlighted by the campaign. The publicity had generated national and international media interest, as well as the support of a number of high profile figures, including writers Julian Barnes and Ian Rankin; the former stayed at the property while researching his Booker- nominated Arthur & George. Mr Gibson was interviewed by a Russian TV channel, who were amazed that such an iconic building could just be boarded up, vandalised and in disrepair.
