Council to sell 'under-utilised' 17th Century house

A Grade II-listed country house which has been in public ownership since 1947 is set to be sold to save money.

Wakefield councillors have been asked to sign off on the disposal of Woolley Hall, a derelict 17th Century mansion, as part of cost-cutting measures.

The council revealed plans to restore the building and turn it into a wedding venue and spa in 2022.

The seat of the Wentworth family it passed into local authority ownership after World War Two.

The council's cabinet is expected to agree to market the site when it meets on 18 June.

A report says the council is carrying out a review of its assets and describes the hall as “under-utilised”.

The document adds: “Woolley Hall is still deemed a suitable disposal to contribute to the council’s revenue savings target and potentially realise a capital receipt.

“The preferred option is to proceed now to disposal using an external agent to market and dispose for the best consideration possible.

“Unconditional offers will be requested on the open market.”

Samantha Harvey, Conservative councillor for Wakefield Rural, criticised the proposals and said the property was one of Wakefield's "most iconic buildings".

“Despite the council’s long-standing promises to restore the hall to its former glory, nothing has been done," she said.

“Sadly, this remarkable historical site is deteriorating with every passing day that they fail to act.”

Ms Harvey said Woolley residents were “frustrated” over the lack of progress with the building in recent years.

“Throughout this entire decision period they have never done a public consultation, and their justification for abandoning the restoration plans is paper thin.”

Andrew Jones, chair of Woolley Residents Association, said any investor in the project would need to come up "with creative ways of covering the cost of the huge amount of work that needs to take place".

“I still think it will make a wonderful wedding venue with its beautiful grounds for an investor," he added.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, in 2022 the council considered leasing part of the building to a restaurant operator.

Private developers who previously showed an interest in the building had wanted to convert it into apartments, with a caveat that extra houses would be built in the grounds.