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Hardy's cottage to be rented out Hardy's cottage to be rented out
(about 4 hours later)
Plans to turn the birthplace of Thomas Hardy into a holiday cottage have angered fans of the Dorset author.Plans to turn the birthplace of Thomas Hardy into a holiday cottage have angered fans of the Dorset author.
The National Trust, which owns the property at Higher Bockhampton, said it needed to ensure the cottage is "financially sustainable".The National Trust, which owns the property at Higher Bockhampton, said it needed to ensure the cottage is "financially sustainable".
But Rosemarie Morgan, president of The Thomas Hardy Association, said it was an "horrific" idea.But Rosemarie Morgan, president of The Thomas Hardy Association, said it was an "horrific" idea.
Hardy was born at the two-bedroomed house in 1840 and wrote several works there such as Under the Greenwood Tree.Hardy was born at the two-bedroomed house in 1840 and wrote several works there such as Under the Greenwood Tree.
It's a shrine, people visit from all over the world Rosemarie MorganIt's a shrine, people visit from all over the world Rosemarie Morgan
The cottage does not contain any of his personal belongings but around 15,000 people from all over the world visit the house from April to October each year.The cottage does not contain any of his personal belongings but around 15,000 people from all over the world visit the house from April to October each year.
A National Trust spokesman said: "We are looking at a whole range of options to improve access and conservation of the building and improve the visitor experience.A National Trust spokesman said: "We are looking at a whole range of options to improve access and conservation of the building and improve the visitor experience.
"One of the options is whether we let people stay for a week or two at a time over the winter months when it is currently closed. No decision has been taken yet.""One of the options is whether we let people stay for a week or two at a time over the winter months when it is currently closed. No decision has been taken yet."
'Rustic charm' Hardy wrote Far from the Madding Crowd at the cottage
Andrew Thomson, chairman of Stinsford Parish Council, said residents had expressed their fears about updating the cottage to make it suitable for holiday let while maintaining its basic, rustic charm.Andrew Thomson, chairman of Stinsford Parish Council, said residents had expressed their fears about updating the cottage to make it suitable for holiday let while maintaining its basic, rustic charm.
Ms Morgan, of The Thomas Hardy Association, said: "It's a shrine, people visit from all over the world.Ms Morgan, of The Thomas Hardy Association, said: "It's a shrine, people visit from all over the world.
"For people who follow one of the greatest writers in the English language with such devotion, particularly foreigners, it's a shocking thing to think that tenants can leave their marks on a place that figures so highly in his novels and poetry and his life. Only in England would this happen.""For people who follow one of the greatest writers in the English language with such devotion, particularly foreigners, it's a shocking thing to think that tenants can leave their marks on a place that figures so highly in his novels and poetry and his life. Only in England would this happen."
The trust would have to obtain planning permission from West Dorset District Council for change of use.The trust would have to obtain planning permission from West Dorset District Council for change of use.