A Conservative councillor from Norfolk has come under scrutiny after being accused of causing significant harm to the walls of a historic 15th-century castle he owns. Thomas Barclay, who is a member of the West Norfolk Council, faced backlash for installing a two-meter-high wooden fence along the walls of the Grade I-listed Middleton Castle, located near King's Lynn. The purpose of this fence was to prevent onlookers from peering over the walls.
However, Mr. Barclay did not secure the necessary planning permission before proceeding with this installation. When council officials became aware of the situation, they conducted an inspection and discovered that the fence had been affixed directly to the brickwork, resulting in damage that cannot be undone. Following this revelation, officials advised the planning committee to reject Mr. Barclay's retrospective application for approval, which they ultimately did during a meeting held earlier this week.
In cases like this, planning decisions can often be made by officials alone; however, due to Mr. Barclay's status as a councillor, the matter had to be deliberated by the committee.
The fence, which runs along Station Road in Tower End, Middleton, has compromised the integrity of the historic walls surrounding the castle. Planning officer Lynette Fawkes strongly recommended that the councillors deny the application, stating that the fence represents an inappropriate type of boundary treatment for a structure of such national significance. She pointed out that screws were drilled directly into the bricks rather than the mortar joints, leading to "irreversible damage" to the castle's historical fabric.
Moreover, the materials used for the fence were criticized as being entirely inconsistent with the Grade I listed environment, adversely affecting both the wall and the broader setting of the castle, which is available for hire for various events.
Officials expressed concerns regarding the lack of justification for the unusual design of the fence, noting that Mr. Barclay, elected in 2023, had declined to engage in discussions with them prior to the meeting. Interestingly, Mr. Barclay, who has a background in foreign exchange trading in London, chose not to attend the meeting to defend his application.
His controversial fencing initiative garnered only one letter of support, which came from a family member. This letter argued that local residents require privacy since members of the public frequently stop to take photographs of the castle. Additionally, it mentioned that a similar fence had existed since the 1980s.
Councillor Tom de Winton acknowledged the privacy concerns raised by some residents, commenting, "It’s not a cheap place to rent, and some of the guests may be minor celebrities. The higher up the food chain you go, the more privacy becomes an issue."
Despite these considerations, the majority of councillors expressed strong disapproval of the application. Councillor Jim Moriarty remarked, "It really looks unpleasant and inappropriate. The only reason we have this application before us is because he is a councillor, and had he not been, this would have already been denied." A last-minute motion to defer the decision was also dismissed, leading to a mixed vote that resulted in the rejection of the application.
FROM FOREX TO FORTRESS
Middleton Castle, also referred to as Middleton Tower, has been in Tom Barclay’s family since 1960 when it was passed down from his grandmother, June. She married Timothy Barclay in 1947, who was the youngest son of Humphrey Barclay, a chaplain to both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Their son, Julian, inherited the castle at the age of 18 and later passed it to his son, Tom, in early 2023.
Before taking on the historic property, Mr. Barclay spent many years working as a foreign exchange trader in London. However, he admitted to the Telegraph last year that managing the castle as an event space proved to be much more challenging than his previous work in finance. Instead of residing within the castle, he lives in a nearby farmhouse with his wife and two children. In the same year that he inherited the castle, he also won a seat on the West Norfolk Council, where he currently serves on the planning committee as well as the environment and community panel, representing the West Winch Ward.
MOATS, TURRETS, AND CORPORATE EVENTS
Middleton Castle, encircled by a moat and adorned with turrets and parapets, has been home to several prominent families throughout its long history. Construction of the building is believed to have begun around 1455 under Thomas, the seventh Lord Scales, a notable figure during the Hundred Years War. Unfortunately, Thomas was murdered amid the Wars of the Roses before completing his vision for the castle, which was eventually taken on by his daughter and son-in-law.
Other distinguished families, including the Woodvilles, Howards, and de Veres, have resided in the castle over the centuries. The gatehouse, rising to about 60 feet, is touted as one of the finest examples of 15th-century brickwork in England. Although the manor fell into disrepair by the 18th century, it underwent restoration during the Victorian era and has remained within the Barclay family since the 1960s. In 2023, the castle was opened to the public for special occasions, including holidays, weddings, and corporate events.
