Burley House set for next chapter in its story

It is understood that Toby Morton, of YorPark, and Fraser Thompson, of Square Feet, have acquired an option to purchase Grade I listed Burley House in Burley-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire.

It is believed they want to return the building, which is the former headquarters of home shopping, healthcare and education specialist, Findel, back to its original use as housing, if planning permission is granted.

Both Square Feet and YorPark subsidiary, YorPlace, specialise in high-end residential schemes.

Burley House, together with a Grade II listed mews building and coach house, was put on the market with a guide price of £2m in 2011.

Scarborough-based Broadland Properties bought Burley House from Findel for an undisclosed sum in 2006, but Findel remained as a tenant until it went on the market.

The company moved its headquarters to Lancashire.

Burley House was built by poet Thomas Maude in 1798 and has previously been used as a manor house, a hotel, a private school and a restaurant.

According to the property details, the former Mansion House is arranged over basement, ground and two upper floors.

The ‘L’ shaped mews building is situated adjacent to Burley House and was probably originally developed for use as a stable block. The building was refurbished into residential accommodation in the late 1980s, although part of the ground floor was converted into a workshop.

Adjacent to the Mews is the coach house, a detached building currently used as a garage.

The three buildings are all separately listed as buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

Mr Thompson declined to comment when contacted by the Yorkshire Post.