BaR News Round Up March 2024

We have begun work in the West Midlands on updates to the 152 entries we currently have on the register there.  In Staffordshire, there are several buildings related to lost country houses which need new uses and rescue plans as well as a number of the distinctive industrial buildings of Stoke where there are some positive developments to report.

We also have details below of the annual open day at Elmswell Old Hall in East Yorkshire which was ruined some years ago despite approval of a scheme which could have kept it standing.

Updates in Staffordshire, West Midlands

Former Stables and Service Block of Teddesley Hall, Penkridge, Staffordshire

These two, substantial and elegant 18th century blocks make imposing reminders, along with a number of other structures, of Teddesley Hall.  The Hall was demolished in the 1950s but the wonderful, grade II listed, surviving blocks give clues as to the scale of activities at the estate in its hey day.  They were acquired by a developer apparently intending to bring them back into use and carry out other development on the site - including to rebuild the Hall - but no scheme has ever come to fruition.  In the meantime, these structures, powerfully evocative of another age, are deteriorating in condition.

Falcon Works, Sturgess Street, Stoke

Disused and derelict for many years, the grade II listed Falcon Works were the subject of enforcement action by the council a couple of years ago.  The Council issued a s215 notice to request that the owner clear vegetation, reinstate rainwater goods and carry out other essential maintenace. When the owners failed to comply, the Council carried out the works in default.  However, no long term solution has yet been found for the site.  The action nevertheless sent a strong message about the commitment of the Council to ensure the industrial history of Stoke survives.

Elsewhere in Stoke, there are a number of large regeneration projects proceeding including at the Crown Works in Longton where it has just been announced that a scheme to convert the buildings into 58 apartments for the over 55s is going ahead.  The scheme has been enabled by the use of over £6m in Levelling Up funding.

Notice of the annual open day at Elmswell Old Hall, East Yorkshire

An object lesson in how even significant historic buildings can be ruined, this Grade II* listed 17th century farmhouse was, after decades of neglect, deliberately turned into a ruin at the request of its owners on the basis that it would be easier to maintain as a historic structure. This despite there being a consented scheme and a historic building developer, the Spitalfields Trust, willing to implement it.  Under the conditions of the permission to turn the building into a ruin,  an open day must be held every year.  These annual open days seem simply to serve as a means of laying bear the gradual decline of the remaining structure. The details of the open day are below.

1st April 2024 10.30am -3.30pm
 
Elmswell Old Hall, a grade II* 17th century hall, will be open to the public for one day. It is an excellent opportunity to inspect this historic hall, which now stands in ruins. Built in 1635 by Henry Best, the notable 17th century author of Best's Farming and Memorandum Books, it stands in the historically significant Elmswell country estate, parts of which date back to William the Conqueror.
 
No booking required.  Note that the hall is reached by a sloping, grassy route which can be muddy so may not be easily accessible for people with mobility issues.  Stout footwear recommended. No dogs allowed.
 
Elmswell Old Hall, near Driffield, East Yorkshire.  Turn off the A166 (west of Driffield) at "what3word" location recovering.archives.starred, the hall is located at the "what3word" location teach.paddle.promoting