Stonewest and the Southern Region – decades in the making

Our latest project in the Southern Region has just been completed for the Southsea Coastal Scheme. As part of this scheme, Stonewest has undertaken masonry conservation to the 400-year-old Southsea Castle, proud to support the team with our delicate conservation and repair of this Scheduled Monument. As the specialist Heritage masonry contractor, we installed new handset masonry and carried out careful and considered conservation repair works to numerous Heritage assets dotted along the sea wall defences.

For decades, Stonewest has been dedicated to preserving heritage sites and developing modern landmarks across the Southern Region of the UK. As well as delivering the highest quality work and value to our Clients project-by-project, we are proud to have served so many communities across the South and fully committed to the future of this important work. As such, we have consolidated and strengthened our Client offering in the Southern Region – today, all of Stonewest’s key services are available throughout the area.

We have an established team, ready and able to deliver projects across the Region, comprising Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and Kent. As well as local knowledge, we have the skills and expertise across all traditional trades to deliver reactive, small and large-scale projects. We have also developed strong links with local craftspeople and organisations that can support us with trained and qualified experts as needed.

The South Coast and South of England are important for British heritage due to their rich historical and cultural significance. These regions are home to numerous iconic landmarks, archaeological sites, historic buildings, and areas of natural beauty that are integral to the country’s identity and history. By protecting them, we preserve our cultural legacy and ensure that future generations can appreciate and learn from these significant historical treasures.

Toby Moore, Associate Director, has been part of the Stonewest team for 37 years. He explains: “The Southern Region is important to us – after many years of working on projects here, we have developed strong relationships with local communities, businesses and expert tradespeople. Working together we can really deliver the best expertise, quality and value for our Clients. Today, we have live projects taking place across the region, including works in Bournemouth, Dover, Hastings, Portsmouth and Southsea.”

 With rich experience in the Southern Region, examples of our previous projects include:

The Royal Pavillion for Brighton – a 7-year project with Hove City Council to provide assessment works, set out the scope of repairs and deliver the works according to the project needs.

The Southsea Costal Scheme was established to create new flood defences to protect the 19th-century Victoria seaside resort and its local homes and businesses. We contributed to the UK’s largest local authority-led costal defence project by undertaking the traditional masonry element of the construction of the new sea wall, as well as scheduled works to other associated heritage assets.

Stonewest has been working with The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) for over 20 years on many of their well-known sites. We are currently completing a condition assessment for the the Portsmouth, Chatham & Plymouth War Memorial Obelisks to assess the short- and medium-term needs of the listed masonry and bronze elements.

The Dover War Memorial Project honours the brave individuals of Dover who tragically lost their lives in World War 1 and to show gratitude to the relatives they left behind.  Stonewest had the privilege of producing additional plaques for the 100-year ceremony that were handed to family members of those who lost their lives.

Amongst other restoration elements and new build work, Stonewest stonemasons and stone carvers cleaned and re-carved eroded elements of the important grade II listed crest that sits on the external facade of Livingstone Academy in Bournemouth. The work forms part of the restoration of the former Magistrate’s Court and Coroner’s Court in Bournemouth, which will see a historic building on the South Coast transformed into the Country’s first state-of-the-art digital academy.

Smeaton’s Tower is the original Eddystone Rock Light House, which was dismantled from the Eddystone and moved to the Hoe. Stonewest’s responsibilities included carefully de-pointing the tower inside and out for complete refurbishment ensuring no damage to the historic granite stones.

Andover Guildhall is a municipal Grade II* listed building, an excellent example of Neoclassical architecture and combines calm grandeur with impressive interior. Stonewest was appointed to clean and restore the splendid Bath stone exterior.

To discuss your project needs with our Southern Region team, please contact us on 01202 090 220, or email southern@stonewest.co.uk.

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