News - Defiant’ hidden treasure is building’s salvation (Doncaster)

IN recent decades, hundreds of historic buildings across Yorkshire have been swept away in the name of regeneration, their demise often unnoticed until it is too late.


During 2012, new glass and steel blocks have sprung up in Doncaster’s Waterdale, and initial blueprints had condemned an unprepossessing red brick building on the corner of the site for demolition.

The St James’ Leisure Centre was set to be flattened in 2013 as part of the town’s £300m Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ) project, decades of neglect meant many would never have mourned its passing.

But behind its crumbling brickwork lies what experts have described as a “rare survival” from the period between the two World Wars – a suite of Turkish and Russian baths still in use.

Their unlikely presence has now saved the centre from the bulldozers, meaning it will stand defiant next to Doncaster Council’s gleaming new offices and a “new performance venue”.

According to English Heritage – the body which maintains sites and advises the Government – which has granted the St James’ Centre grade II listed status, there are just three other examples of similar Turkish baths in the country, – in Newcastle, Westminster and Islington.

Although council chiefs were initially keen to see the building razed, they have now been forced to welcome its listing and write it into their plans for the town’s cultural and sporting future.

Doncaster Council’s head of development Peter Dale had initially wanted to see the baths pulled down and a new complex built in their place because the current building, which also has a fully equipped fitness studio, “did not meet 21st century demands”.

He said: “A swimming pool and leisure centre was always part of the Civic and Cultural Quarter masterplan so we will look at incorporating the St James’ pool and health club into the scheme.”

The building was designed by the Doncaster borough’s then estates surveyor Mr RE Ford,

As well as the Turkish and Russian baths, English Heritage experts also pointed to the St James’ swimming pool, which many of the town’s older residents can remember being boarded over with a sprung maple wood floor for films and dances.

In their assessment of the building they said: “The St James’ Street Baths, is an inter-war public baths built in 1932.

“It retains much of its original plan, which clearly indicates that it was carefully designed as a multi-purpose recreational building to be used year-round.

“The swimming pool and associated areas such as the slipper baths and changing rooms, together with the basement Turkish and Russian baths suite, were accessed from the entrance on Waterdale.

“Additional interest is provided by the provision of facilities for winter time activities when the pool was boarded over.

“A completely separate entrance opened into a crush hall giving access to the pool hall for activities such as dances concerts and films. It had a stage and projector room, both of which survive.”

Doncaster’s elected mayor, Peter Davies, who is 68, and grew up in a village near the town, said he clearly remembered attending cinema shows in the pool hall and hearing others talking about going to events there.

Mr Davies added: “St James’ Pool and Health Club and its rare Turkish and Russian baths are being incorporated into a major regeneration scheme which is driving Doncaster forward but at the same time recognises our historical assets.

“The town is establishing itself as a hotspot for new investment and development and is becoming one of the most desirable places to live, work and visit.

“The Civic and Cultural Quarter is rejuvenating a large part of Doncaster’s town centre.

“New, 21st century landmarks are transforming the skyline in Waterdale but our proud heritage is also being preserved.

“Sir Nigel Gresley Square, named after one of our most influential historical figures, the new Civic Office and the state
-of-the art performance venue will help bring the vibrancy 
back.

Mr Davies added: “While the plans will see the imposing façade of the former girls’ school on the other side of the CCQ site restored with this wonderful frontage and prime site being perfect for a charming hotel.”

Baths become hot property
DONCASTER’S Civic and Cultural Quarter scheme is being built on the site of the town’s former Waterdale surface car park and further education college which relocated to new buildings several years ago.

It includes a £22m civic building, which includes a new council chamber and offices, which council workers are currently moving into.

The St James’ Baths is not the only historical building to survive, and there are plans to save at least the facade of Doncaster’s former Girls’ School, which stands on the opposite corner of the CCQ site.

The baths, which reach temperatures of close to 100F “survive largely intact, retaining mosaic floor, wall tiling and the original drinking fountain” according to English Heritage.

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/defiant-hidden-treasure-is-building-s-salvation-1-5256531

News - Pit head baths set to be demolished (Kiveton

THE fight to keep Kiveton pit head baths has been lost after councillors approved its demolition.


The historic landmark on Colliery Road was paid for and built by miners in 1938, so they could shower before going home after work.

The Grade II listed building has been at the centre of controversy in recent years and since the pit closed in 1994, the building has fallen into serious disrepair.

At a planning meeting last week Rotherham Council’s planning commiittee considered an application by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for the building demolition.

Councillors heard that there is considerable recurring cost to the tax payer in keeping the structure safe and that a viable alternative for the building has not been found.

They agreed to grant permission for the building to be demolished, subject to approval from the Secretary of State.

In 1999 Yorkshire Forward, the defunct development agency, applied for the de-listing of the Grade II building so that it could demolished to allow for open casting at the site, but permission was refused.

Several years later Kiveton Park and Wales Community Development Trust, working in partnership with Yorkshire Forward, took forward the development of the project to turn the baths into a multi-use community centre, but they never developed.

Then in 2005 the Guardian reported news of a £4 million revamp including business workspaces and a mining heritage centre - but again it never materialised.

In 2009, permission was granted for 18 apartments, an office and cafe, but the development was never pursued.

The report which went before the planning committee said that owing to the unsuccessful attempts to secure a future for the building there is no viable future use for it in the medium term.

A HCA spokesman said the pit head baths were transferred to them in August 2011, as part of the closure of Yorkshire Forward.

He said: “The HCA has continued the work of Yorkshire Forward to find a suitable long term use for the building and adjoining land, however we were unable to identify a viable alternative use for the building and there is no potential purchaser, but there is considerable recurring cost to the tax payer in keeping the structure safe.”

“Following discussions, both English Heritage and Rotherham Council agreed that the building could be demolished, subject to approval by the planning committee. The application for demolition was considered by the committee on 30th August and approved subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State.”

“All of the valuable fittings and contents of the baths will be catalogued and stored until a suitable alternative permanent location can be found and the HCA is in active discussions with local organisations about this.”

From: http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/business/pit-head-baths-set-to-be-demolished-1-4917452

News - Ollerton Hall could be turned into flats

A COUNTRY house which has stood empty for nearly half a century could be converted into flats and bunglaows if an application goes ahead.


Plans are in place to transform Ollerton Hall into nine two-bedroom apartments, with 16 flats created in three existing blocks built as part of a previous planning application to convert the site into a nursing home.

It would also have space for 29 parked cars.

The Grade II-listed hall was built in the 1700s, but last used in the 1960s as a hostel and was put on the at-risk register drawn up by Engligh Heritage in recent years.

Falling into disrepair, it was acquired by the Sue Ryder charity in the late 80s with the intention of creating a residential care home. Work was carried out but the home never opened and the site continued to change hands.

It was taken on by Pullan Homes in 2007 and the work was completed to make the building structurally sound.

Pullan has submitted the application to Newark & Sherwood District Council with a target decision date set at 19th July. However, the plans have been criticised by Ollerton and Boughton Town Council.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/ollerton-hall-could-be-turned-into-flats-1-4706746

News - Reading Room awarded £200,000 for restoration (Grenoside)

 

The Heritage Lottery Fund has provided £218,900 for the restoration

An 18th Century reading room in a Sheffield village is to be restored thanks to a grant of more than £200,000.

Grenoside Reading Room, a Grade II listed former school, dates back to the late 1700s.

It was empty for many years and the Old School Charity said the building needed a lot of work.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded £218,900 to turn the reading room back into a community resource.

Fiona Spiers, of the HLF, said it was built by public subscription in 1789 to provide free education for poor children, which she said was "an early forerunner to our modern welfare system".

'Living, breathing space'

The school closed in 1893 and it became a reading room, village institute and library but fell into a bad state.

"The reading room needs a new roof and bringing up to building standards," said Gail Cooke, of the OSC, which was set up specifically for the restoration.

"It needs disabled access, a new kitchen, toilets, and there's no heating at all."

 

The reading room was built using public funds and left in the care of Ecclesfield Parish Council 

Grenoside was important to the early steel industry in Sheffield and still has crucible and casting workshops in the village. 

Ms Cooke said objects and artefacts would be housed in the restored building.

"It's got a lot of history - we're keen to see it put back into public use, not reduced to a pile of rubble," she said.

"To see the doors open will be really nice.

"It's definitely not a museum or a library, but it's a living, breathing space. Loads of local groups will use it."

The restored reading room is expected to be opened to the public in late autumn.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-16484873

News - After a decade, Rotherham Minster sheds its shroud of steel

AFTER a decade of being shrouded in steel, this week Rotherham Minster will be stripped of the last of its scaffolding when the results of a £2.25m restoration project revealed to the world.

It’s a “marvellous” achievement, says Canon David Bliss, who has never seen the church without its coat of metal in the three-and-a-half years he has been at Rotherham Minster.

“Over the last 10 years, an awful lot of work has been done”, the 59-year-old said.

“We’ve replaced the clock faces, and done some stonework to the top of the spire.

“Around the nave roof, the battlements have been repaired and both the north corner and the north west windows have had some repair work.

“There’s a new roof on the chancel and we’ve had to have lead replaced too.”

Although the rebuilding of the 15th century spire, which stands 188 feet above Rotherham town centre, has become one of the most iconic aspects of the church’s restoration, it wasn’t originally intended to be rebuilt at all.

Canon Bliss said: “The interesting thing is that the problems with the spire weren’t discovered immediately.

“It was only when other work was being carried out that they put a steeplejack’s ladder up to the top of the spire and discovered holes that water was going through, and that the spire was starting to lean.

“Scaffolding was put up to give it stability and, when work started in June, the masons discovered a steeplejack’s pick had been left in there and had corroded.”

The top part of the spire then had to be completely rebuilt over a six-month period.

While All Saints’ Church – which gained Minster status seven years ago – has been restored, buildings around it have been revamped and, in some cases, demolished as part of the £2bn “Rotherham Renaissance” regeneration project.

That scheme, devised in 2001 by Rotherham Council and Yorkshire Forward, aimed to transform the town centre over 25 years.

However, while some projects such as the renovation of the Grade II listed Imperial Buildings went ahead, others are behind schedule or were axed altogether owing to the recession and the demise of Yorkshire Forward

The All Saints’ Building, adjacent to All Saints’ Church, was demolished and planning permission was granted for a development of shops and offices.

However, Iliad, the firm behind the scheme, pulled the plug in 2009, and the site has since been landscaped to become the Minster Gardens.

“A lot of work has been done in conjunction with Rotherham Council, such as the floodlights which have been installed outside”, said Mr Bliss.

“They’ve been switched on two years now, so the whole of the outside is lit up. It’s magnificent.

“We were also able to look at the West Door, which was the door out of which the bride and groom would exit after their wedding.

“It had been closed up for at least 20 years as the steps were steep and there was no handrail.

“We were able to put handrails up and gates on the door and, since then, the bride and groom have been able to exit through the West Door once again.

“People have been moved to see the doors open again – it’s wonderful.”

However, while Rotherham Minster may have cast off any outward signs of repair work taking place, there’s still more to be done within the church itself.

The kitchen is set to be replaced so the Minster can offer meals as well as hot drinks; work is to be done on some partially-eroded Rotherham Red sandstone, and a bigger project to replace the church’s chandeliers will begin early next year.

“Two chandeliers aren’t working and we’ve not been able to find the fault, which could be right up in the roof”, Canon Bliss said.

“Those lights have been there for 50 years, though, so it’s been decided that they will be replaced.

“We’re putting some temporary lights in for Christmas and then, in the new year, we’re embarking on a scheme to replace the whole of the lights.

“There are 77 gilded roof bosses and every one of them is different.

“We want to have lights shining up there so that, for carol services, we will be able to light up the magnificent roof and keep the rest of the church in darkness.”

Mr Bliss added: “This is a very historic building and it’s our responsibility to maintain it and preserve it, not only for our present-day needs but for the church in generations to come.

“It’s a privilege and a great responsibility to sit in this magnificent building and think about the people who’ve worshipped here, the people who’ve gone before and what they’ve done to preserve it so that we can be here today.”

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/after_a_decade_rotherham_minster_sheds_its_shroud_of_steel_1_4032036

News - Call for true state of cottages to be revealed (Newark)

Appearances can be deceptive and the remains of the former Robin Hood Hotel may be in a better condition than many people think, according to a conservation builder.

Mr Chris Healy says stripping the green rendering from the cottages, which formed part of the Newark hotel, and the limewash beneath it could reveal brickwork and pointing in largely good condition.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee rejected a recommendation to allow the Grade II listed cottages to be demolished, which has sparked strong debate.

The owner, MF Strawson — part of the Asda-led consortium developing Potterdyke — is reviewing its options before deciding what to do next.

Mr Healy said: “If conserved in the right way, this could be the feather in the developer’s cap,” he said.

“But at the very least, let’s see it with the green limewash removed — in a conservation manner rather than just sand-blasted — so we can see what we stand to lose."

Strawsons say it would cost more than £700,000 to restore them, making it economically unviable.

From:http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Call-for-true-state-of-cottages-to-be-reveale

News - Computer image of castle’s gatehouse revealed (Sheffield)

A STUNNING image of what Sheffield Castle’s gatehouse might have looked like in the 13th century has been presented to the Lord Mayor by a local history enthusiast.

Coun Sylvia Dunkley received the picture from Ron Clayton, who is campaigning for the castle remains - which lie beneath the Castle Markets site - to be excavated.

The castle was built in 1270 but was knocked down in the late 1640s.

An excavation led by Leslie Armstrong in 1927 uncovered the base of one of the gateway bastion towers, as well as part of the gateway itself.

The remains, which are Grade II listed, are preserved under Castle Market and open for viewing.

More recent excavations in 1999 and 2001 by ARCUS, Sheffield University’s archaeological research and consultancy unit, revealed the castle to have been much larger than previously was thought - and that it could have been among the largest medieval castles in England.

The image of the gatehouse given to Coun Dunkley was computer-generated by Prof Dawn Hadley, of Sheffield University’s Department of Archaeology.

Coun Dunkley said: “I would like to thank Ron for this amazing image, which will look great in the Parlour.

“Along with people like Ron, I have been a strong advocate of making the most of the castle ruins.

“Anything we can do to ensure the people of Sheffield don’t forget this buried treasure is very welcome.”

Plans are in the pipeline to have the ruins fully excavated once Castle Market is demolished after stalls are moved to the new markets building on the Moor in 2013.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/computer_image_of_castle_s_gatehouse_revealed_1_3636878

News - Concerns as hall sale bid falls down (Thorne)

DONCASTER Council could face legal action if Thorne Hall is allowed to go to ruin.

The Grade II listed landmark failed to sell at auction in London this week after no-one met the reserve price of £300,000.

Auctioneers Lambert Smith had said there was considerable interest the building.

But Thorne councillor Martin Williams is concerned the building is still facing an uncertain future and is planning a meeting with lawyers.

He said: “I think the next step should be to put it up for auction somewhere in Yorkshire, to see what happens if it goes on the market in this region.

“It is a Grade II listed building and it needs protection. I am meeting a planning barrister next month to discuss it.

“The council cannot take itself to court if the building is not maintained, but I may look into it. But my first option would be to try to sell it locally. I don’t think leaving it to become neglected is a good example to set.”

The building has been out of use for around five years, since it ceased to used as an area housing office.

Coun Williams believes it may cost anyone who takes over the building around £1 million to renovate it.

Director of Regeneration and Environment Peter Dale said: “Thorne Hall failed to sell at auction on Monday despite being advertised nationally.

“Since the auction we have arranged another viewing and it remains available for sale.

“We are committed to selling Thorne Hall, but any buyer will have to abide by the terms of its Grade II listing.

“The hall will be put up for auction again in the autumn.”

News - Nottingham's Goose Fair site to get £5m cash boost

The site of Nottingham's famous Goose Fair is to get a £5m makeover.

The restoration of the historic Forest Recreation Ground will be funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund and Nottingham City Council.

The grant will help restore the grounds, including a transformation of the Grade II listed lodge and pavilion building into new visitor facilities.

It is hoped that works will commence in early autumn 2011, a city council spokesperson said.

'Heart of Nottingham'

The Forest Recreation Ground has played an important part in the city since 1845.

The park design was influenced by prolific garden designer Sir Joseph Paxton.

Emma Sayer, head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: "From its creation, as a preserved part of Sherwood Forest, to its hosting of the Goose Fair, the Forest Recreation Ground is at the heart of Nottingham, and has played a key part in the history of the city.

"This project will ensure that this much loved park will be restored and conserved so that it can be enjoyed by many generations to come."

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-14098569

News - Council-owned mansion under hammer (Thorne Hall)

AUCTIONEERS behind the sale of a mansion which was last used as a council office and depot yesterday said they expected the property to fetch up to £400,000 when it goes under the hammer next month.

Grade II-listed Thorne Hall was built in 1818 for a local farmer and was a family residence but was eventually bought by the local council and used for meetings and administration.

The building, in Ellison Street, Thorne, near Doncaster, is now owned by Doncaster Council, which is selling the building to help it find money towards £71m in savings demanded by the Government.

Graham Johnston, of London-based Lambert Smith Hampton said the sale had been delayed after local MP Caroline Flint called for a re-examination of options for the site’s future.

But it has now been included in a catalogue for a sale on July 11 and a number of buyers have apparently shown an interest, with a viewing day planned at the landmark building for next Thursday.

Mr Johnston said: “A particular point of interest in the building is the ballroom, which has been used in the past for council meetings and there are other bits and pieces which are significant.

“Potentially we would expect buyers to perhaps be looking at using it as a hotel or perhaps a nursing home, and there have already been buyers contacting us to ask about it.”

Mr Johnston said other architectural features of note included a cantilevered stone staircase with iron balustrade and an entrance hall with a Doric columned screen.

Thorne Hall has been disused for several years, and a campaign, led by local councillors, has been mounted to bring the hall, which is opposite the town’s park, back into community use.

Coun Martin Williams, who represents the town on Doncaster Council said he was pleased to see the sale finally going ahead, and added he was “fed up” with other building in the town being left to rot.

He added: “I have got Tim Leader, a planning barrister who is the former chief executive of Doncaster Council, looking at the way the council has handled empty buildings in the town.

“If nothing is done about some of them, particularly those around the market place, I am going to take the authority to judicial review over the way they have let some of this town go to rack and ruin.”

Earlier this year, Lambert Smith Hampton auctioned two other buildings for Doncaster Council, including a house known as the Priory in Conisbrough and a listed school building in Arksey.

The Grade II-listed Consibrough property fetched £312,000 at the sale held in February, while the school building was bought for £155,000.

The Thorne Hall auction will take place on July 11 in London. For more details about the sale contact Lambert Smith Hampton on 020 7198 2278

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/council_owned_mansion_under_hammer_1_3506206

News - Historic mansion to go under the hammer (Thorne Hall)

THE auction date for an historic mansion in Yorkshire has finally been set.

Thorne Hall in Doncaster will go under the hammer next month.

After a false start earlier this year, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has now given the go ahead for Lambert Smith Hampton to proceed to auction on July 11.

Thorne Hall is a Grade II listed mansion built around 1815 by a local farmer, enjoying open views over Thorne Park and containing various architectural features, including a cantilevered stone staircase

From: http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/180168-historic-mansion-to-go-under-the-hammer.html?news_section=7

News - Calls for Robin Hood cottages to be saved (Newark)

English Heritage has thrown its weight behind calls for the last remaining part of the Robin Hood Hotel to be saved from demolition.

In a letter to Newark and Sherwood District Council, English Heritage says it does not believe there is clear evidence to suggest demolition of the cottages, on Lombard Street, should take place.

The body has a statutory role in the planning system, offering advice before and during applications affecting buildings and areas of historical significance.

The letter said: "We accordingly object to the application for consent and recommend refusal.

"Newark is one of England's most important and best preserved market towns.

"The Robin Hood Hotel is listed Grade II as a building of special architectural and historical interest and character.

"The loss of any listed building requires clear and convincing justification supported with robust evidence.

"Without it, we are of the firm view that the application should be rejected as it does not satisfy certain planning requirements."

The developer of the Potterdyke site, M.F Strawson, says retention of the buildings is no longer financially viable because of their dilapidated state.

It says the cost of repair would be £750,000.

The developers have plans lodged to replace the historic cottages with five retail units.

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Calls-for-Robin-Hood-cottages-to-be-saved

Arable land flies at Notts/Derby auction

A 47-acre lot of arable land at Barlborough on the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border made £11,059/acre at auction in December. The deep grade 2 limestone land sold for £525,000 at an auction of 13 lots of land including two farms.

The sale saw a total of 767 acres of mixed use arable land sold for £5.06m, an average of £6606/acre. An individual businessman investor believed to have no farming background outbid local farmers and other bidders to secure 10 lots, said selling agent Fisher German. Every lot in the sale apart from one made higher than its guide price, with a 69-acre lot of grade 2 limestone land selling for £8976/acre.

Unusually, the sale included a 139-acre farm at Barlborough let on an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy. Low Common Farm is classified grade 4 and was previously part opencast coal mine, but included a bungalow and some farm buildings. The farm sold for £490,000 or £3525/acre, to an investor.

A second holding, Lindrick Farm, near Worksop, Nottinghamshire, made £1.468m or £7625/acre. This 192.53-acre, grade 2 limestone farm was subject to an FBT expiring in 2012 and has a cottage let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

A single arable grade 2 sand land field without entitlements at Styrrup near Doncaster made £117,000 for 20.46 acres, an average of £5718/acre.

From: http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/01/06/124962/Arable-land-flies-at-NottsDerby-auction.htm

‘Grand Old Lady’ the Adelphi is for sale

One of the most iconic buildings in Sheffield, ‘Grand Old Lady’, has been put on the market by the owner in hopes that someone will bring it back to its former glory with a much needed refurbishment.

The real name for the building, The Adelphi, located on Vicarage Road in Attercliffe is going to be sold through the London firm Paramount Investment in the hope of attracting a serious buyer. It’s on the marketing for £220,000, however the owner will consider ‘unconditional offers’.

Stuart Oliver, agent for the company, said: “The Adelphi is for sale with full vacant possession.”

The Grand Old Lady is a Grade II listed building and was originally opened in 1920 as a picture house but has now been disused since 2006. However, there is heaps of opportunity for a number of different redevelopments including a leisure or shopping facility!

It is a stunning building and has had many purposes in the past including both a venue for Asian weddings!

This building is a dream for any property developer and the right person could really make this structure into a vital and prosperous asset for Attercliffe. But it is in need of a good clean up and someone with quite a lot of vision.

The building, which is made of red-brick and terracotta, was designed by the architect WC Fenton as an auditorium and help approximately 1,350 people. There were tiered stalls and circle levels, in addition to a projection room at the back of the building. There was also a kitchen, dining area and office space!

The Adelphi was a cinema until 1976, when after it became a thriving bingo hall from 1990 right through until 1996 when it was redeveloped into a night club until 2006. And it has been closed ever since!

From: http://blog.londonbingo.net/london-bingo-news/grand-old-lady-the-adelphi-is-for-sale-1830/

Historic Somersall Gatehouse Up For Auction

HISTORIC cottage which was used by coachmen employed by the owners of a country estate is to go under the hammer at a sale in Sheffield this week.

 

The Lodge, is a two-bedroom Grade II listed cottage dating back to the 1700s and was previously one of two gatehouses for Somersall Hall, near Chesterfield.

According to auctioneers, it still retains some of the original features which would have been used by the estate's staff, although it has been partly modernised.

The present Somersall Hall was built in 1763 on the site of an earlier 17th century house owned by Godfrey Clarke and his son Gilbert who served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1652 and 1676 respectively.  Estate agents said the property, which has a minimum guide price of £130,000, "requires updating but offers much potential".

Lucy Crapper, of Sheffield-based Blundells said: "The cottage retains immense charm and character and now requires a scheme of cosmetic improvement and refurbishment.

"The existing gatehouse, which was extended in the 1950s and again in the 80s, now offers very spacious accommodation and offers a unique opportunity to purchase a period building."

Ms Crapper said the property is within easy of Chesterfield town centre and a short distance from Chatsworth House.

The cottage will be auctioned at Sheffield Park Hotel, Chesterfield Road South, at 2pm on Wednesday along with a number of other lots.

More information is available from Blundells on 0114 223 0777 or at the www.auctionhouse.uk.net  website.

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/Historic-cottage-used-by-coachmen.6650721.jp