Neglected 16th century stately-home to be renovated

Applicant Ashley Wildsmith, of Sophia Property Developments, has revealed his rescue plan for grade II-listed Firbeck Hall.

The proposal would see the ailing three-storey mansion - built in 1594 - converted into 21 apartments with three more in the stable block.

The extension annex, which was added in the 20th century, would be demolished to make space for a further eight properties.

Sid Ellis, secretary of the Friends of Firbeck Hall, said: “This planning application has been long-awaited and we are delighted.

“After going through lots of false dawns and changes in ownership, it really looks as though we’re all systems go.

“If you look at many of these sorts of places, at the end they are so neglected and falling down that restoration never happens.

“In the years since the friends’ formation, we’ve seen the deterioration, of course, as winters come and go, and that was our biggest fear. But it appears that Firbeck Hall has been caught just in time.”

Planning documents submitted by Mr Wildsmith said: “Due to the severely dilapidated state of the buildings, any restoration needs to happen sooner rather than later to prevent further deterioration to the point of a severe structural failure. 

“The creation of dwellings with a traditional appearance has been heavily supported by the local community.

“The extensions to be demolished have no historic merit and as such their removal will benefit the setting of the listed buildings.”

The hall was an exclusive country retreat in the 1930s, favoured by royalty and Hollywood stars. During the Second World War it was an RAF base and part of the Sheffield Royal Infirmary.

It was later a rehabilitation hospital for workers who suffered industrial injuries until it closed in 1990 and has been empty since. 

The hall’s deterioration has been hastened by vandalism and, in 2009, fire tore through the roof space as workmen tried to carry out structural repairs to make the property water tight.

The plans added: “In its current state, the hall is an extremely dangerous structure. If left to continue to decline, the hall is dangerously close to being beyond saving.”

Mr Wildsmith’s 2015 purchase of the site followed several attempts to revive the hall which did not come to fruition.

Mr Ellis said: “The big difference is that Ashley Wildsmith has been aware of Firbeck Hall because he’s from this area. He’s admired the building from being a child and owning it has been an ambition of his.

“We can’t be completely happy until it’s under way, but at this stage, it couldn’t be any better.”