Plans for Weelsby Hall's £3.5million upgrade to go before planning committee with neighbours raising concerns

Plans for a £3.5million extension and refurbishment of Weelsby Hall in Grimsby have been met with mixed reactions from neighbours and supporters.

Linkage Community Trust which looks after people with special needs received a £3,515,000 Heritage Enterprise grant for its Weelsby estate project. They plan to create a training centre and bring new life back to the Grade II Listed hall.

The aim is to extend the existing stable block and provide more residential care. The regeneration will create up to 37 new jobs.

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North East Lincolnshire Council planning councillors will assess the application at the next committee meeting on Wednesday at Grimsby Town Hall. Planning officers have recommended approval of the application from the Trust charity.

But residents have expressed concerns about the loss of trees which will be chopped down and the impact on wildlife habitat for bats and badgers.

Weelsby Hall was built in 1890 as the country seat for the cockle-picker turned fishing magnate George Sleight. The grand house showcases exceptional craftsmanship.

Linkage leased Weelsby Hall from the Sleight family from 1982 and later purchased the estate. The historic buildings are no longer accessible or fit-for-purpose, needing significant repair and refurbishment. The project aims to restore the buildings and develop the beautiful 12-acre grounds with wildlife boxes, a sensory trail, and bee-friendly plants. The public will be able to visit during and after the construction, learn more about the Sleight family in the grand entrance foyer and enjoy activities in the grounds.

A report to councillors said: "The site itself is for use as a specialist centre for people with specialist learning needs and offers various facilities, primarily in education and support. The proposal would add to this offering by providing a training unit in the main Weelsby Hall house providing courses in the charities' specialist area, as well as much-needed sensory rooms, again in connection with the main use.

"The proposal would also seek to change the use of and extend the existing stables into specialist care units to accommodate people with complex needs as well as on site carers to offer a degree of independence to the users but with on hand support. The development also proposes the reuse of existing buildings though acknowledging the new extension at the former stable block which will support the longer-term viability of the Listed buildings.

One supporter said: "I am very pleased to see Weelsby Hall getting some much-needed refurbishment. It is a fine example of one of the town's few Victorian grand houses. Also pleased to see it being kept in one piece and not divided into apartments."

Dr Leonard Lofts MBE said: "I have complete faith in the Trust to invest in the quality of what it offers to people whether this be in developing buildings or in direct care and support. Linkage is an organisation with a history, experience, knowledge and financial security sufficient to make a massive success of the Weelsby Hall refurbishment.

"It works on enabling people with disabilities to live fulfilling and meaningful lives. It assists them to have homes of their own with the support they need and to make contributions to the localities they live in. It offers learning through its College and is leading the field in some of its sensory work which is featured in the Weelsby Hall refurbishment. This includes sensory integration therapy for people with a range of conditions including learning disabilities, autism and dementia. Linkage also assists people to gain employment."

Several residents submitted objections on the grounds of the impact on the neighbourhood and wildlife. Some were concerned the chopping down of trees will cause subsidence at their properties, as well as have a detrimental impact on wildlife.

One wrote: "The plans represent a significant change of use from an educational facility to residential units. The plans suggest that the refurbishment and extension will increase the area of building directly backing onto our property.

"The plans incorporate windows and doors which will face in the direction of our property in addition to paved garden areas backing onto our property which will drastically reduce the privacy to the rear of our dwelling. In addition our quality of life could be impacted due to an increase in noise from the stables area and we note the inclusion of a 'plant room' in the extension which we assume will also increase noise levels from the site.

"As we have experienced drain and sewage smells drifting across from the direction of the stables building we have concerns that the drain and sewer infrastructure will be unable to cope with additional inflow that would result from residential use." Another wrote that she supported the aims of the Trust and applauded the work it does, but raised concerns at the loss of trees.

Leading environmental campaigner, Jim Wright of Lincolnshire Bird Club said: " I think the ecologist's suggestion that a bird feeding station should be established is excellent. This would be valuable, not just for the birds but also for the students because maintaining it will be beneficial to their education and give them additional purpose and satisfaction.

"I also applaud the proposal for the installation of nest boxes, though it is unfortunate that the ecologist has not been specific about the number, in effect handing the responsibility to the planning case officer who may not be equipped to make he judgement." He recommended nest boxes for nuthatch, swift, robins, tits and owls.

Linkage CEO, Valerie Waby, said the project will enhance and restore vital historic buildings and will create new job opportunities.

She said: "This is a huge step forward in improving the Weelsby Estate, the local economy and creating opportunities to elevate the quality of life for eight young people through the opening of a new residential care home. Linkage is indebted to National Lottery players and to the Heritage Fund for making this grant possible”.

The application will be assessed from 9.30am on Wednesday at Grimsby Town Hall.