Historic mansion which has lain empty could become home

Council officers are recommending that the plans are given the go-ahead but objectors have raised concerns about the impact on the historic building in Horbury, Wakefield, and its setting.

The grade II listed mansion, described as the “jewel in the crown of Horbury,“ passed into council hands in 1936 but it is currently unused and in a poor state of repair.

Last year campaigners took just six days to drum up a 1,528-signature petition and 527 letters of objection over the sale of Carr Lodge Mansion. Protesters said the council had allowed the building to fall into disrepair and had failed to properly inform residents of the sale.

Many local people wanted to see the mansion used as a community facility.

But today a planning application will be considered by members of Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee.

A report says: “The site comprises Carr Lodge Mansion which is located in Carr Lodge Park, Horbury. Carr Lodge is a Grade II Listed Building dating back to circa 1770-1775. It was originally a residential property set within landscaped gardens and its most recent use was for offices and veterinary clinic. The building is currently vacant.

“The site is located in a public park in a predominantly residential area close to the centre of Horbury. The site boundaries are presently open to the park.”

“The proposal involves changing the use of the existing mansion from offices and veterinary clinic to a dwelling house, which was the original use of the building when constructured circa 1770-1775,” the report adds.

Officers are recommending that the application by Abdul Hussein, c/o Vardan Mkrtchyan for full permission to turn the property into an eight bedroom house is given the go-ahead, subject to conditions being agreed, to safeguard the future of the building.

“In view of the above, it is considered that the proposals will protect and enhance the Grade II Listed Building and its setting and secure the future use of the currently vacant building. The proposals accord with relevant policy and guidance and approval is therefore recommended,” the report adds.

Objectors to the application have raised issues including the fact Sunroyd Hill is a public right of way and also claim the boundary should be railings and not a 6ft high boundary wall as the wall would not be in keeping with a public park and would attract graffiti.

The proposal also involves putting up external lights and CCTV, the details of which, the report says, have been worked out with conservation officers. Originally a swimming pool was incorporated into the home but the plans have been amended and a pool will not now be included.

Some fears have been raised that the house would be used by more than one family - but the report says details submitted by the applicant confirm the home will be used by one family group.

In 1999 many people objected to a different proposals to change the mansion’s use from offices to a private residence.

The mansion was used as office space for many years; first for the local authority and then for small businesses; but it and the park have suffered from a lack of investment over the past 20 years.

Originally named Sunroyd House, it was later renamed Carr Lodge.

It is thought the building could have been designed by architect John Carr, who designed Harewood House, Leeds.

The applicant is also applying for listed building consent, which officers are also recommending is given the go-ahead, subject to conditions being agreed, when committee members meet later today.

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