Building of the Month July 2022: The Lady in Grey, Wilne Lane, Shardlow, Derbyshire DE72 2HA

This romantically named building does not disappoint in its appearance.  It is a handsome late 18th-century house and is grade II listed (LEN: 1205393). Built in red brick with a hipped slate roof, its front elevation was clearly designed to be eye-catching with a central projecting bay topped by a shallow pediment under which a semi-circular headed blind recess is outlined by a moulded arch. There have been a number of 20th-century additions to the rear of the building.  

This stately building has served as a restaurant and hotel in the past and appears to stand in a generous walled garden by the side of the canal.  It is an exceptionally attractive location.  

The house has been empty for over five years and is now in very poor condition. The council have been seeking action from the owners and most recently issued an s215 notice as well as pursuing a prosecution for illegally felling trees. This eminently useful building deserves to find owners who will be able to bring it back to life. In the past, an application to convert the house back to a single dwelling came with proposals to build 8 buildings along the canalside of the plot.  These proposals did not gain consent.