tells about the plans to restore Oakwell Hall, called Fieldhead in Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley.
Extensive repair works have been proposed for Oakwell Hall to remedy damage and ensure its longevity.
The Grade-I Listed Elizabethan manor house, located to the northwest of Birstall, dates back to 1583 and is set in period gardens within a 110-acre country park. The hall was visited by Charlotte Brontë in the 1830s and was the inspiration behind 'Fieldhead' in her 1849 novel 'Shirley'. It is now a museum furnished as a family home of the 1690s which is owned and run by Kirklees Council.
The local authority is seeking Listed Building Consent to carry out repairs to the fabric of the building to ensure it is fit to operate for years to come. The council has appointed AHR Building Consultancy to carry out the works that will “restore damaged and age-related issues” and ensure Oakwell Hall can remain open to the visiting public, according to a supporting statement.
Several issues need to be addressed, including those regarding structural movement, water ingress and backlog maintenance issues primarily affecting the external fabric of the building. Some internal areas will also be impacted where either movement has affected the structure due to plumbing leaks, or wear and tear.
As a result, works would include the removal of the existing roof to allow for the installation of a bat-friendly, modern breather membrane to shield the building from water ingress. The existing stone slate roof would then be re-laid, and gutters and down pipes replaced. Repairs would also be made to the external stone, existing lead glazing, and defective areas of the underground drainage system.
A new, accessible toilet would be installed at ground floor level to the rear of the property, with its walls positioned to limit the impact on the existing historical structure. The existing first floor male and female toilets, which were a later addition, would be fully removed as part of the development.
The supporting Design and Access Statement put together by AHR Building Consultancy says: “The proposals detailed in this statement have been developed to minimise the continuing deterioration of the building and to provide restorative repairs to ensure the upkeep of the building is retained.
“Our proposals have been developed with a core aim to protect the existing building in character and appearance and with the aim of restorative repairs to the roof and external walls whilst also improving the facilities for visitors through the provision of an accessible toilet at ground floor level.
“The works are confined to the building and will therefore have no impact on the wider building’s environment and external grounds.”
A target date for a decision to be made was set for Wednesday, (April 8), though this is yet to be made, according to Kirklees’ planning portal. (Abigail Marlow)
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