Imagine owning a 600-year-old castle, only to be accused of damaging its historic walls. That’s exactly what happened to a Norfolk Tory councillor, who now finds himself in hot water with his own council. But here’s where it gets controversial: Thomas Barclay, a Conservative councillor and owner of the Grade I-listed Middleton Castle, erected a two-meter-high wooden fence around the property without planning permission—and bolted it directly into the 15th-century brickwork. Council officials were quick to label the damage as 'irreversible,' sparking a heated debate over preservation versus privacy.
Barclay, who joined West Norfolk Council in 2023, claimed the fence was necessary to prevent people from peering into the castle grounds, especially since the property is now available for events like weddings and corporate gatherings. However, planning officer Lynette Fawkes argued that the fence was 'wholly discordant' with the castle’s historic setting and urged councillors to reject Barclay’s retrospective planning application. And this is the part most people miss: the fence wasn’t just unsightly—it was drilled into the bricks themselves, not the mortar joints, causing lasting harm to the structure.
The controversy doesn’t end there. Barclay’s application received just one letter of support—from a relative—who argued that residents needed privacy due to frequent passersby stopping to photograph the castle. Councillor Tom de Winton sympathized, noting that privacy is a premium for high-profile guests. Yet, most councillors were unforgiving. 'It really looks unpleasant and inappropriate,' said councillor Jim Moriarty, who pointed out that the application only made it to the committee because Barclay is a councillor—otherwise, it would have been rejected outright.
But here’s the real question: Should historic preservation always trump modern needs, even when those needs include privacy and security? Or is there a middle ground that could satisfy both sides? The council’s decision to refuse the application was a clear win for preservationists, but it leaves Barclay in a tricky spot. After all, transitioning from a career as a foreign exchange trader in London to managing a medieval castle hasn’t been easy—he once told the Telegraph that running the castle is 'far harder than his days in the bear pit.'
Middleton Castle, also known as Middleton Tower, has a rich history dating back to 1455, when construction began for Thomas, the seventh Lord Scales. Though Scales was murdered before completing his vision, the castle was later restored in the Victorian era and has been in the Barclay family since 1960. With its moat, turrets, and 60-foot-high gatehouse, it’s a stunning example of 15th-century architecture—one that now stands at the center of a debate about how to balance the past with the present.
What do you think? Should Barclay have been allowed to prioritize privacy over preservation, or did the council make the right call? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
