Historic Hall gets green light for care home
A NINETEENTH century staircase is to be restored to its original home following the granting of planning permission for a Yorkshire care home.
On behalf of the Springfield Healthcare Group, the Leeds office of national planning consultants DPP submitted a planning application to turn grade two-listed Seacroft Grange into a care home.
The transformation at the Leeds building will bring create around 100 jobs.
Will Martin, a planner with DPP, said: “The permission is subject to a referral to Government office, but after over 10 years of lying vacant, we are delighted to see the scheme gain approval from Leeds City Council.
“We hope that Government office will make the correct decision; the Grange’s restoration will create a significant number of jobs within Seacroft at a time when they are most needed.”
The original house, known as Tottie Hall, was built in 1627 and was the home of the Tottie family.
In 1837 it became the property of John Wilson and was known as Seacroft Grange with the Wilson coat of arms displayed in stone over the east door.
Between 1941 and 1972 it was a primary school, before becoming an adult education centre.
When the building fell into disrepair, Leeds City Council removed the staircase, built in 1837, from the building and stored it until such time as it might be used again. The staircase will now be returned to the building.
Nigel Cussen, partner with DPP, said: “Seacroft village is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and the village green is one of the oldest in the country. Unfortunately, the site is completely run-down, with the two grade two-listed buildings on the Leeds City Council buildings at risk register.
“The scheme will refurbish the grade two-listed Grange building and demolish the adjacent building of lesser significance, together with new build elements, to form an 84 bed care home.“
Graeme Lee, chairman of the Springfield Healthcare Group and board director of the Leeds Care Association, said: “Springfield Health Care Group is a large provider of quality care services within Yorkshire and the Humber.
“Our aim at Seacroft Grange is to deliver a specialist state of the art care facility, offering a wide range of care options under one roof.
“These will include dementia, specialist nursing, rehab and respite care, intermediate care, and also services for people with learning difficulties.”
He added: “The Grange itself, once restored, will be the focal hub of the development and will be a destination point for the clients living there and also for the local community to visit on a day to day basis.
The facilities will include a coffee shop, hydrotherapy spa and treatment rooms for hair, massage and fitness and activity rooms as well as a drop in information centre for accessing services/benefits such as direct payments and individualised budgets.”
