Lupset Hall: ‘Tragically neglected’ Wakefield manor house set to become SEN school
The Grade II* listed property dates back to 1716 and was the home of Wakefield’s first MP but has been “tragically neglected” in recent years, a report said.
A derelict 18th Century manor house in Wakefield could be transformed into a school for youngsters with special educational needs (SEN).
Plans have been submitted to convert Lupset Hall into an educational facility for around 70 pupils.
The Grade II* listed property dates back to 1716 and was the home of Wakefield’s first MP but has been “tragically neglected” in recent years, a report said.
The building also served as the clubhouse for the city’s municipal golf club before Wakefield Council sold the property in 2013.
Plans were then put forward on two occasions to convert the site into housing but neither were completed.
Nine Points Property, the building’s new owner, this week applied to the council for a change of use of the property to allow it to become an education centre.
A statement submitted on behalf of the developer said: “This scheme proposes to convert Lupset Hall into an SEN school to provide critically needed safe learning spaces for children from the local area.
“The current owner recognises the significant heritage value of the building and is dedicated to restoring the lost historical character of Lupset Hall.”
The document said the scheme would deliver a 1,100 sq m of accommodation split over two storeys to provide a safe learning environment.
Plans include demolishing a “visually unappealing” extension, which was built in the 1960s, and rebuilding new facilities in its place.
Access to the site would continue to be from Thornsgate Drive if the scheme is approved and 15 parking spaces would be provided along with electric vehicle charging points.
Commenting on the building’s current condition, the report said: “Since purchasing Lupset Hall the current owner has taken steps to secure the immediate future of the building and prevent further degradation.
“This has included establishing a secure perimeter to prevent further theft and vandalism.
“What remains of the main staircase, which was severely damaged by a major ceiling collapse, has been carefully removed and safely stored to be reused where possible.”
The applicant said a previous proposal by another developer involved “carving the main building up into several apartments” which would have “fundamentally altered” the hall’s character.
The hall was bought for the Gaskell family in 1806 and was home to Daniel Gaskell, who became Wakefield’s first MP in 1832.
Gaskell, a noted social reformer, was re-elected two years later but lost the seat at the 1837 general election.
After his death, the hall passed to his great-nephew, Gerald Milnes Gaskell.
The council took ownership of the building after the death of Gerald’s widow.
Parkland surrounding the hall was converted into City of Wakefield Golf Club in 1936 and it was used as the clubhouse.
The site has been vacant since the club moved into the purpose-built Gaskell Sports Pavilion in 2013.
It was bought by a private buyer for around £310,000 with intentions of renovating the site as a family home.
But the plans were not completed and the hall was sold again in 2018.
Historic England added the hall to its ‘heritage at risk’ register in 2022 due to its deteriorating and vandalised condition.
Another proposal to convert part of the hall into four apartments and four terraced houses was submitted in 2023 but was withdrawn a year later.