Green light urged for new homes for vulnerable women at historic Hull mansion

Holderness House - once the home of Thomas Ferens

The mansion was once home of the city's great benefactor Thomas Ferens, who helped form the city’s university and one of its most successful companies.

Set in six acres of woodland and gardens, the house, on Holderness Road, became a "rest home for poor gentlewomen in reduced circumstances" by the terms of the MP's will, following his death in 1930.

It continues as a residential care home for women run by the Holderness House Trust.

Artists impressions of the new bungalows Credit: Hodson Architects

Developers want to convert outbuildings of the grade-two listed property into seven flats and build eight one-bedroomed bungalows off Laburnum Avenue.

The trust is intending to transfer some of its land to Winner Trading/Purple House, to provide some independent living accommodation for vulnerable women.

The proposals are due to be discussed by councillors next Wednesday.

Chief executive David Naughton-Doe said it would provide vitally-needed income to keep the residential home going and provide a high standard of care, adding: "Our ethos is and theirs (Purple House) is exactly the same. I think Thomas Ferens would have been absolutely delighted.

The outbuildings which will be transformed into flats

"We are carrying on Mr Ferens' philosophy of looking after ladies in distress."

Planners state: "We feel there are sufficient positives to justify and support an application of this nature on the site in question.

"The proposed scheme is for the provision of much needed accommodation.

"The scheme design is of high quality and the key factor is to ensure and encourage the occupants to feel at home and safe within their home.

The plans will bring in vitally needed income

"With an increasing need for housing of this nature we believe that this proposal is justified."

Planners want to see the large number of mature trees "of notable arboricultural value" retained along with Category B trees.

Mr Naighton-Doe said an absolute maximum of five trees would have come down, but 75 more would be planted "because we are great believers that the Holderness House grounds are absolutely superb and we need to keep them that way."

Ferens, who served as Liberal MP for East Hull, was one of the founders of household goods manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser and donated £250,000 to establish the university

He also provided the funds for the Ferens Art Gallery.