A landmark tower in the Peak District near Sheffield will be restored to its former glory after plans were approved – here is how it will look

Thickwood Lodge – originally built as a hunting lodge by the Duke of Rutland in the 19th century – sits in a prominent position on the fringe of Totley Moor, off the A621 close to the Owler Bar roundabout.

The building, once part of the Longshaw Estate, has a tower that was constructed as one of a pair, and is nearly identical to its counterpart White Edge Lodge which was built at the same time and is now a National Trust holiday home.

Peak Architects, a firm based in Sheffield and the Hope Valley, has been granted planning consent by the Peak District National Park Authority to restore Thickwood following what the company describes as ‘a series of unsympathetic modifications and extensions in the 20th century’.

The tower will be separated from its wraparound extensions, allowing it to stand clearly within the landscape. A lightweight glazed block will provide a link to a modern extension, which will be partially sunk into the ground to lessen its visual impact and blend into the moorland.

The new extension will feature a large, open-plan family room providing panoramic views of the Peak District and the approach to Sheffield. It will be triple-glazed and insulated to a high level, while a sewage treatment plant, water recycling and green roofs are also incorporated in the project.

Peak Architects’ director, Paul Holden, said: “We are delighted with the successful planning outcome. The scheme certainly challenged the planning and conservation officers’ initial expectations and it was through sheer perseverance and extensive collaboration with the Peak Park’s planning and conservation teams that this simple, elegant contemporary extension was approved.”

Thickwood Lodge was Grade II listed in 1975, and is noted for its locally distinctive mock Jacobean architectural style. It served as a gamekeeper’s lodge until 1927 when the Duke of Rutland needed to sell the whole estate, which was broken into lots. Since then it has been used as a family home.

The nearby Peacock Inn is also Grade II listed – this was constructed at a similar time to Thickwood and also formed part of the Longshaw Estate.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here – www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions – so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.