Wooldale Hall, West Yorkshire:

Wooldale Hall is a grade II Listed privately owned Georgian property set in a rural village in the heart of the Holme Valley, West Yorkshire.  It is an impressive sandstone residence complete with stone slate roof, albeit in a sorry state of repair.  The new owners are keen to give the Hall a new lease of life and have now embarked on an extensive external and internal conservation project, appointing William Anelay as principal contractor.

Water ingress has caused damage to the underlying roof structure, plaster and walls and so a temporary roof covering will allow the property to thoroughly dry out and permit conservation work to continue during inclement weather conditions.  Water damage has contributed to the building’s structural instability and as a consequence, two elevations will be dismantled and rebuilt, using as much of the original masonry as possible.  The owners are keen to ensure that as much of the original structure is retained and any new works are aesthetically in keeping with the original architectural design including new Georgian sash windows, shutter boxes, and re-plastering with traditional hair lime, lath and plaster.  Roof slates will be salvaged where possible complemented by new leadwork and rainwater goods. 

The property will benefit from full mechanical and electrical works throughout incorporating ‘green’ heat recovery technology and on the ground level, a new stone floor above under floor heating.  The bathrooms and kitchen will be refurbished to incorporate period fixtures and fittings.  A green oak garage is being built adjacent to the house and positioned within the curtlidge of the remains of a fifteenth century cruck barn. Hard and soft landscaping, new walls, vehicle turning areas and raised planting areas will be formed to complement the finished house ready for the owners to take up residence late Spring/early Summer 2010.