WORK to transform a medieval manor house can go ahead after it was awarded a £1.6 million lottery grant.

Building conservation charity, the Landmark Trust, has received the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant towards its restoration of Calverley Old Hall, enabling the project to go ahead.

The two-year scheme will bring Calverley Old Hall off the Heritage At Risk Register, safeguarding it for future generations. The manor house of Calverley Old Hall is Grade I-listed and considered among the most at-risk buildings in England.

 

Landmark’s restoration will bring the whole site into new use with self-catering holiday accommodation for 10 alongside dedicated space for local communities. The Trust bought the Calverley Old Hall building in 1981.

Alan Leibowitz, Landmark Trust chairman, said: “The transformation of Calverley Old Hall will be one of Landmark’s most precious and costly projects.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An image of what Calverley Old Hall will look like following its transformation workAn image of what Calverley Old Hall will look like following its transformation work

“Forty years in development yet now in the last knockings of our fundraising appeal, thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players together with other wonderful supporters, we can reveal and share the special place.

“We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and all who have contributed so far.”

The £1.6m Heritage Enterprise Grant from the Heritage Fund builds on their earlier development funding grant of £150,000, which enabled the stunning discovery of sophisticated Tudor wall paintings in 2021.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: What the inside of Calverley Old Hall will look like after the transformation work What the inside of Calverley Old Hall will look like after the transformation work

Together with the many other donations from supporters who have generously provided partnership funding, this grant means work can start onsite in the coming weeks while Landmark seeks the remaining £77,000 needed to secure the total project cost.

With this award, Landmark also announces the appointment of Ilkley-based Dobson Construction Ltd and the imminent start of the works.

David Renwick, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting The Landmark Trust to transform Calverley Old Hall and ensure that it is safeguarded for future generations.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The group behind Calverley Old Hall have secured a £1.6 million lottery grantThe group behind Calverley Old Hall have secured a £1.6 million lottery grant

“Through this exciting Heritage Enterprise project, we will be helping to remove the building from the Heritage at Risk register thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.

“It is also fantastic news this project will also provide the chance to not only enjoy visiting the Old Hall, but to get truly hands-on through apprenticeships and training opportunities to acquire declining heritage skills and pass these on to the next generation.”

To donate and for more information about Calverley Old Hall, go to landmarktrust.org.uk/calverley