Plans to rebuild Grade-II Annesley Hall

An application has been submitted to re-build the roof of Annesley Hall which has stood vacant for decades.

Over the years vandals and arsonists have targeted the iconic country home, leaving it a blot on the landscape.

It was added to English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ list, outlining the significant building that could be lost through neglect.

The application has been submitted by East Midlands Developments Ltd, however, there are few details submitted about the long-terms plans for the hall.

Despite this, Annesley ward councillor and deputy leader of Ashfield District Council, Don Davis welcomed the move.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a positive move.

“The locals want to see it back into use so I will support the application.

“Hopefully, it’s the beginning of a potential new project to bring is back use.

“It’s been like this since the 1970s and something needs to happen with it, so the developers will take it in that direction.

“We’ve had our fair share of vandalism and we don’t want to see anymore fires in our iconic buildings.

“There are certainly ideas locally that we would like to see , but I suppose it depends on what the developers want to do with it,. but we support what they are doing and hopefully they will get planning permission.”

Built in the 13th century, it was the home of the Annesley family before being passed to the Chaworth family.

In the 19th century, Mary Chaworth, who lived at the Hall, was the boyhood lover of poet Lord Byron, who lived at nearby Newstead Abbey.

It was sold in 1972, but has been uninhabitable since 1997 when a fire cause damage to the structure.

Last year arsonists caused huge damage with a blaze breaking out on two of the three floors.

East Midlands Developments Ltd are yet to comment on the application.