Entrepreneur set to embark on £1.3m development of former country house

An entrepreneur is set to launch the latest phase of development at Bawtry Hall, a former country house with a fascinating history.

Jason Cooper, who acquired the former RAF base for £1.65m in 2014, is now set to embark on the next phase of the development, which help from niche property bank Cambridge & Counties.

Cambridge funded the original purchase, and is now baking Cooper once again, agreeing an equity release of £1.3m.

The next phase of the renovation of the 50,000 sq ft site in the Doncaster area will see eight more apartments built. Cooper has also announced plans to develop it into a luxury wedding venue in 2018.

The Hall has more than 20 businesses working from refurbished offices, and 15 residential apartments at the site are fully let.

It has had an exciting and varied history: from 1941 to 1984, Bawtry Hall served the Royal Air Force, first as HQ for No.1 Group, Bomber Command during and after the Second World War; then as Strike Command HQ up to and including the later stages of the Cold War.

The famous bombing of the airfield at Port Stanley by Vulcan bombers during the Falklands War was co-ordinated from the operations room at Bawtry Hall.

Jason said: “Cambridge & Counties Bank and the team I work with – Adam Jolley, Simon Lindley and Mike Kirsopp – have always been very straightforward, pragmatic and highly supportive of our ambitions for Bawtry Hall.

“I have found when Cambridge & Counties agree to fund a deal, the deal gets done in record time and on the exact terms that were agreed. We are looking to continue to grow that relationship in the future.”

Adam Jolley, business development manager for Cambridge & Counties, said: “We have been very impressed with the property and with Jason as a client.
“Playing our part in the future of Bawtry Hall is an exciting prospect as its redevelopment continues.”

Legal work was completed in-house at Cambridge & Counties by Sally Smith. The valuer was Martin Nicholson at Nicholson & Co. Jason Cooper was originally introduced to Cambridge & Counties by Andy Churchill of Real Property Finance.

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