Partial demolition of historic hall and former carvery in Pendle to be decided this week

The new owners of Colne's Langroyd Hall, a popular carvery amony many uses in its long history, want to convert the building into a home for vulnerable adults.

Work proposed would include redeveloping the exisitng hall, including demolition of 40 cublic metres removal of the rear rooflink and replacement windows. There will also be interal alterations to remove and install internal walls. Two new apartments will be built as extensions.

Pendle Council's Colne and District Committee will hear the application tomorrow at 2pm in an online meeting, live streamed on the council's Youtube channel.

A report to the committee states: "The creation of an open courtyard to the hall frontage, enclosed by new apartment blocks to each side, would still enable appreciation of the hall from the driveway approach whilst allowing it to retain its dominant position on the site.

Leader Times reported in December that plans had been drawn up to create four new units to house 33 "extra care" apartments with cafe, gymnasium, hairdressers, and associated car parking.

The council has received mixed views from members of the public on the plans, which have been recommended for approval.

In a letter to the council, Ann Williams, who lives in the coach house opposite the hall, said: "It seems you have sadly not taken into consideration the objections from neighbours, Colne Town Council and other bodies regarding the massing of other units surrounding the hall.

"We note you say there is no window in our property at the gable end. That is incorrect. Also the trees in our garden at the fence give us some privacy and if the unit is built next to the fence we are concerned that it will damage the roots.

"The two storey building will dominate the landscape and block the view of the hall. However we are glad that the hall itself will be renovated and some of the trees are being kept.

"A tawny owl is presently nesting in one of the Langroyd trees which is to be felled on the boundary of the hall."

Another resident commented that lsoing the hall would be "sacrilege" and that too much heritage and beautiful buildings had been lost already from Colne.

Concern was also expressed over the possible removal of trees from the site and the reduction of light to neighbouring properties.

Another commented that it was sad to see the deterioration of the hall over the last 12 months and the associated vandalism.

The owners of Langroyd Hall, a Grade II listed building which dates back to the 17th century, had previosuly been prosecuted by Pendle Council.

Leicester based EH Capital 1 Ltd pleaded guilty at Burnley Magistrates’ Court on November 21st for unlawfully removing roof slates and a stone lantern finial in April this year.