Historic Daresbury Hall, ravaged by fire in 2016, could be restored and transformed into housing, pending council approval.
The hall will have eight apartments inside, with six more in nearby stables. Thirty-one new houses will be built outside.
George Heron built it in 1759. He descended from the Brooke family who owned Norton Priory. Around 1960, the council made it a hospital which closed in 2010. The 2016 fire severely damaged Daresbury Hall, leaving only the brick walls.
Some outbuildings still exist, including a stable and farm buildings. Vandals and a recent fire have badly damaged the stables. Other buildings are whole but run-down.
The site is green belt land, which protects it from building. Building houses helps fund the hall’s rebuild, creating a situation that needs a “delicate balance.”
The Georgian Group disagrees with the plan. They like fixing the hall and coach houses, but worry about demolition work inside, dislike building on the land, and question repair materials for stables.
The report suggests approving the plan anyway. It noted breaking some green belt rules and also mentioned the need for more housing. Preserving the hall outweighs these issues.