We are delighted to announce the external conservation works to Woodcote House, the Grade II-listed centrepiece of the Warwickshire Police headquarters estate in Leek Wootton, has been completed. The works carried out by our team, focused on the careful restoration of the building’s stonework roof and windows, ensuring that the historic landmark remains both resilient and true to its architectural character.
A key part of the policing estate since 1949, Woodcote House continues to be a valued and functioning part of Warwickshire Police’s wider headquarters site, which is also home to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The sympathetic repairs involved replacing damaged and deteriorated stonework by skilled masons, with mortar repairs and repointing to all the external elevations of the building. Weather damaged stone copings, stringcourses and finials have been removed and replaced to match the original detailing, using Hollington White stone to provide a close match to the original stone, which is no longer quarried.
Repairs were also carried out to copper sash windows and the roof has been repaired with leadwork and missing tiles replaced.
The project forms part of a wider programme of capital improvements being funded by the Commissioner, which include refurbishments to toilet blocks and gym facilities across the site, as well as roof and window replacement on some of the more modern buildings at Leek Wootton.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “Woodcote House is not only a beautiful and historically significant building, it remains very much in active use by Warwickshire Police today. These works have helped preserve and enhance its character while ensuring that it continues to serve as a practical and well-maintained base for modern policing.
“This forms part of a broader commitment to provide fit-for-purpose working environments for officers and staff. Upgrades are continuing to refresh communal facilities and in recent months we’ve completed other improvements across the site – all designed to support the wellbeing, morale and effectiveness of officers and staff.
“Funding for these projects has come through the sale of unused land elsewhere on the site, allowing me to reinvest in the estate without detracting from resources for frontline policing.”
Keith Learoyd, Commercial Manager for Cliveden Conservation, said: “It has been a privilege to contribute to the restoration and conservation of Woodcote House, which continues to serve a vital piece of the region’s heritage, and we at Cliveden Conservation Workshop are honoured to have played a role in its ongoing care and stewardship. Projects like this underline the importance of traditional craftmanship, skills and collaborative conservation which are key to preserving our Heritage.”
The restoration was undertaken in line with national heritage guidance and in collaboration with conservation officers to ensure the building’s listed status was fully respected. Cliveden Conservation’s work has not only helped future-proof the structure but has done so using traditional skills and materials that honour the building’s historic integrity.
The investment underlines the Commissioner’s commitment to balancing heritage conservation with the operational needs of a modern police force.
The project was managed by DSA Consultants, with additional support from Rapley’s and Ark Health and Safety Consultants, as well as Warwick District Council who provided Listed Building Consent for the works.
Left to right: David Stanley from DSA Consultants; Deputy Chief Constable David Gardner; Keith Learoyd from Cliveden Conservation, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe and Nathan Moore, Head of Business Operations for Warwickshire Police.