Jane Clark battles English Heritage over Saltwood Castle

Jane Clark (pictured), widow of the late Tory MP and celebrated diarist Alan Clark, has locked horns with English Heritage who claim that her home, Saltwood Castle in Kent, is in poor order and in need of urgent (and costly) renovation to prevent it from falling down. All his life, Alan Clark battled to keep the 12th century moated castle in good repair, often selling possessions, including wine, cars and art, to pay the bills. He once wrote in his diary: "Vast new outgoings [on Saltwood]. I fear it will have to be the Degas".

Now, nearly nine years after his death, a census of Grade 1 listed homes compiled by English Heritage has given the castle "at risk" status and demanded an immediate consultation with the chatelaine to seek ways of arresting its decline.

The classification has enraged her. "The last time anyone from English Heritage came here was 15 or 20 years ago and they have not been in touch about this latest list," says Clark. "I would very much like to hear from them, in fact. I do not know in what particular way they consider the castle 'at risk'."

The classification usually refers to deteriorating masonry, leaking roofs and outbreaks of rot. Said a spokesman for EH: "In common with many part-occupied or ruined castles, English Heritage believes Saltwood Castle has repair needs that could be addressed."

But Clark feels EH are just being interfering busybodies. "I think possibly they like to have a few rolling concerns, as this is not the first time such a notice has appeared about my home. It's possible they think if they say things like this people will spend a few thousand on the upkeep of old buildings."