Friday 18 March 2011

News – Beauchief Hall estate for sale with £5m price tag (Sheffield)

SHEFFIELD’S historic Beauchief Hall estate has been put on the market in a sale worth around £5m, thought to be the first of its kind in the area.
The Grade II listed hall and a range of nearby buildings, set in 37 acres of park land, are being offered for sale with planning for conversion into nine exclusive houses.
Having acquired a property, buyers may then employ their own architect and builder to create the home of their dreams.
Nick Riddle, a partner with agents ELR, said: “We’re splitting up the barns and making them into individual units, then it’s up to the buyer to finish it. This is the first of its kind to be done this way in Sheffield.”
The hall itself currently has permission to be divided into four town houses and is expected to fetch around £2.5m. It was built in 1671 by Edward Pegge, a former Sheriff of Derbyshire, who was at that time living in the adjacent Pegge’s Cottage – which is also up for sale.
The hall was reputedly constructed of stone taken from Beauchief Abbey, in whose grounds it stands, following dissolution of the monasteries.
For centuries it remained a private house, passing through a number of owners including Kingsford Wilson, Master Cutler in 1929.
It was then used by a furnishing company before being acquired by De La Salle College, a Roman Catholic boys’ school which used the playing fields while leasing the hall to Beauchief Independent Grammar School for Girls.
In the 1990s it became the corporate headquarters of city businessman Stephen Hinchliffe, whose Facia group owned names such as Sock Shop, Freeman Hardy Willis and Red or Dead.
He bought the hall for £725,000 and sold it three years later for £1.75m – complete with disco in the basement – before being jailed for fraud following the collapse of Facia in 1996.
Latterly, the building was acquired by software firm EDP, which sold it to Blenheim Engineering Ltd for £2.3m last year but continues to rent office space.
Blenheim has secured planning permission for the house and outbuildings which are now being offered for sale.
These include Pegge’s Cottage, The Stables, The Saddlery, South Barn and The Workshop. Prices range from £250,000 to £750,000.
“They are very attractive buildings, but it’s up to the buyer to carry out the conversion. If they haven’t got imagination there’s no point,” said Mr Riddle.
“The most striking thing about this estate is its setting – it’s absolutely magical.”
The extensive grounds, which will be maintained for communal use, boast a deer park, three lakes and original features including a mounting block in the car park and a monks’ bath in one of the lower ponds.
The site is bordered by woodland and by Beauchief and Abbeydale golf courses.
The estate is now open for viewing by arrangements with ELR: (01433) 651 888.

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