Joshan of Wye has a tin hat

The fire damaged listed Grade II building on Wye High Street is now weathered, just in time for the winter. The fire on 1st June caused considerable damage to the restaurant kitchen on the ground floor, and gutted the two first floor flats above the restaurant and the roof space, but nobody was injured.

Six fire engines attended the blaze, and the crews saved most of the 2-4 High Street, and all of Wye News next door. However, for over four months the gaping holes in the roof above the restaurant have only had temporary sheeting for protection. When these tarpaulins blew away, they left the building open to the elements and at risk of further deterioration.

The insurance policy holder and loss adjuster have instructed GDS Chartered Surveyors Ltd. as Project Managers, to oversee the reinstatement of the destroyed and damaged parts of the building. Although GDS will aim to retain all the serviceable parts, photographs in the surveyor's Heritage Statement show the extent of the fire and internal water damage.

Before builders can start repair work under the tin hat, Ashford Borough Council must approve Listed Building Consent application 16/01514/AS. The Parish Council will decide its response to the application when it meets on Thursday.