Senior councillors have been asked to agree to the sale of Woolley Hall as part of cost saving measures. The Grade II-listed hall , on the outskirts of the village of Woolley, near to the Wakefield-Barnsley border, dates back to 1635. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Yorkshire Evening Post, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
Owned for centuries by the wealthy Wentworth family, the council took over the building in 1947. The Labour-run authority outlined its vision to restore the derelict hall to its former glory in 2022 when it took the building off the market. Council leader Denise Jeffery said at the time that she wanted the venue to become a modern wedding, spa and afternoon tea venue.
But the council’s cabinet is expected to agree to the building being put up for sale when it meets on June 18. Advertisement Advertisement A report says the council is carrying out a review of its assets and describes the hall as “under-utilised.” The document adds: “Woolley Hall is still deemed as a suitable disposal to contribute to the council’s revenue savings target and potentially realise a capital receipt.
“The preferred option is to proceed now to disposal using an external agent to market and dispose for the best consideration possible. “Unconditional offers will be requested on the open market.” Advertisement Advertiseme.