A Chorlton community group’s campaign to save a 400-year-old Tudor mansion in South Manchester from the clutches of developers is being taken to the House of Lords.
Lord Keith Bradley of Withington is supporting Friends of Hough End Hall in their attempt to raise £300,000 to buy the building in Chorlton and turn it into a community hub.
The Grade II site, built in 1596, is a unique example of a red-brick Tudor manor house in Manchester, and member of the group argue it should be used for arts and activities.
Peter Topping, chairman of the local group, said: “We want to run the building for the community with all profits going back into it.”
The building is currently owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the struggle for the group will be to raise the much-needed money before another company moves in.
Mr Topping said: “In six months it will go back on the open market. The nicest thing would be for RBS to return it to the community.
“We hope the fact that it is Grade II listed puts some developers off as it needs so much work doing to it and it all needs permission – it was a restaurant before and nothing like it used to be in its former glory.”
Along with company secretary Carolyn Kagan and with the support of MP John Leech, the group is working to raise money through social media and crowd-funding campaigns.
Donations from the public will add to the already growing pot of money raised through grants after Chorlton Civic Society succeeded in having the building recognised as a community asset and had positive meetings with the Lottery funding team.
For more information or to get involved visit www.houghendhall.org
Image and video courtesy of Hardy Productions UK via YouTube, with thanks
