Permission has been sought to continue using a former farm building as an art studio.

A FAMOUS artistic family could build on its work in Somerset after applying to continue using a building at a picturesque home as an art studio.

Cosima and Saskia Spender – daughters of sculptor Matthew Spender and Maro Gorky, daughter of artist Arshile, and granddaughters of poet Sir Stephen and pianist Natasha Spender – have applied to continue using the studio, in a former farm building on land adjacent to Border Lodge, North Brewham.
Cosima is a renowned international film director, while Saskia is a successful ceramic artist.

The building, in a field off Hammer Street, was used as a studio by the previous owner of Border Lodge, Elizabeth Fortescue Hitchins, a painter and prominent member of Bruton Arts Society.
The application to South Somerset District Council (SSDC) by agents Benjamin Beauchamp Architects, outlines how the structure was used as an agricultural building until the mid-90s, when Mrs Fortescue Hitchins took it on as her studio.
“Elizabeth Fortescue Hitchins passed away in late 2021 and the studio was sold to the current owners … who wish to continue the established use as an artist studio,” it read.
A letter from Mrs Fortescue Hitchins’ son, George, is also included in the application.
“My parents bought the field adjacent Border Lodge from Reg White in the mid 1980s,” Mr Hitchins wrote. “Reg kept a few sheep which were his passion and my parents were happy for him to continue this use of the field, rent-free, until his death.
“Occasionally, he would sleep in an old caravan next to the barn.”
He added: “After Reg’s death, she began to paint in the building, using it exclusively as a studio for painting and occasionally holding exhibitions there of her own work, as well as that of friends from the Bruton Arts Society, of which she was a member.”

Council planners will now consider the application, reference 23/00184/COL, which is open for comments through
www.southsomerset.gov.uk.