Vandal with crowbar breaks into historic farmhouse site under construction

A VANDAL with a crowbar broke into a historic farmhouse site which is under construction.

The 16th-century farmhouse, known as Willow Court on the Westlands Estate in Droitwich, had someone enter the property over the weekend.

The person was dressed in black, carrying a crowbar and there was also a dark blue Corsa nearby with four people inside.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We're appealing for any CCTV or Ring Doorbell Footage of this incident and if they saw anything.

"Please get in touch with us by calling 101 and quoting incident number 00489 I 29062024.

"If you aren’t comfortable contacting us directly, you can pass on information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website."

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has donated to the Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) for the work on Willow Court Farmhouse, which will be transformed into six new affordable homes.

WBPT received £2,328,595 to carry forward their plans for the Grade II listed farmhouse, which has been unoccupied for several decades.

The trust is partnering with Wychavon District Council and Platform Housing Group to breathe new life into the presently uninhabited and poorly maintained property.

The collaboration between a building preservation trust, council, and housing association aims to the targets of resurrecting the at-risk heritage building and building more affordable housing.

The first phase of the project involved securing the site and drawing up plans to save the structure.

Since the lottery fund has granted the necessary funding and the project has received planning permission, conservation work can get underway.

Previously, Cllr Rick Deller, executive board member for housing and regulatory services at the council, said: "I’m delighted with the support of Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust, Platform Housing Group and National Lottery players we have been able to rescue this historic building and use it to make a real difference to people’s lives by providing new quality affordable places to live."