Nocton Hall

[mcmurray]

Hi All,
I have only just joined, but am quite sure I will be staying as the content is top notch!

Anyway... I am trying to assure the future of a Grade II listed Victorian Country House in Lincolnshire, I informed the Victorian Society of it's merrit and unsure future and to my surprise they listed it in there top 10 most endangered Victorian buildings in England & Wales. So I managed one thing; to increase the public profile of the place, but I am stumped what to do next. Here is the situation:

Hall purchased in late 1990s by Leda Properties, along with adjascent huge RAF hospital complex.
Hall and Hospital complex left abandoned by owner.
LA (north kesteven) enacted powers to make emergancy repairs in 2004, days later the Hall was gutted by fire
Leda wish to put a housing estate on the hospital site and most probably the Hall too, planning app in the pipeline.

I doubt that the LA will allow the hall be to demolished, but the future of both the building and it's original grounds are in the balance, if the hall remained but was chocked by a housing development it's whole context would be lost.

Obviously if the developers hope that they will be able to build on the halls land, then they will hold onto it or at least expect a huge sum for the site.

Have a look on wiki as I put a new photo on the other day, also try google maps 'Nocton', it's only a small place so you can't miss the hall and RAF complex.

If anyone has any good ideas on how to 'lock' the grounds to the Hall from a presevation perspective or any info on securing a viable future for such a building let me know.

Alastair

PS. If you get the chance, drop by and have a gander, it's a wonderful place, with such atmosphere.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Sounds like a familiar story. I reckon it's had it. Sorry.

 

[mcmurray]

So, sadly do I. But if people had done nothing, 'probably' would be 'definitely'. I am more hopefull with North Kesteven LA as they seem to be very robust when dealing with listed struture protection, unlike dudley LA where I grew up. There approach seemed to be, 'if its listed, pull it down '

Alastair

 

[biffvernon]

Welcome to the forum mcmurray. Nice to have another from Lincolnshire.

This was in the Lincolnshire Echo yesterday:

A crumbling fire-damaged hall near Lincoln is one of the 10 most endangered buildings in the country, according to a new report.
Nocton Hall, a former RAF hospital which was damaged by a major fire in 2004, is one of the nation's most threatened buildings according to a list publish by the Victorian Society.
The list was drawn up after a national appeal for buildings that deserved preserving.
Victorian Society director Dr Ian Dungavell said: "The owners of the hall have had more than 10 years to come up with a viable use for the building, but nothing has been done.
"If progress can't be made then perhaps they should consider selling Nocton Hall.
"It is not good enough to neglect our listed heritage in this way.
"This dramatic ruin of a country house can still be saved but in the meantime it needs to be properly secured against intruders and protected against the worst of the weather."
Karen Watchus, 51, a medical receptionist who has lived in Nocton for 11 years said: "Personally, I think they are trying to let it go so eventually they could demolish it and build a housing estate.
"It is very important and has a lot of history behind us, there are a lot of us in the village who wish we were in the position to buy it and preserve it."
The owners of Nocton Hall, Leda Properties Ltd, could not be contacted for a response.

 

[JoceAndChris]

That's so sad. But well done for trying! And welcome to the forum!

 

[DaveBrigg]

Leda Properties seem to be shrouded in mystery. The only UK business of that name is based at an address listed as 'Tyre Sales' in Abingdon, without a phone number, and their website is a single page 'under construction'. However, there is a large Australian property development company by the name of Leda Properties, with a bigger website but of a similar design to the UK page. The Australian company state "Leda continues to concentrate on acquiring premium development and project sites with its aim to maximise long-term activity and returns." -not much evidence that they can be trusted to care for the heritage of Lincolnshire.

What is the history of the hospital? Was it used to treat wartime RAF casualties? (Maybe even Australians?)

 

[biffvernon]

Opened: 1940

Re-deisgnated: 1943 United States Army Seventh General Hospital

Re-designated: 1945 RAF Nocton Hall

Closed: Hospital closed 1982

Leased to USAF: 1984 - 1995

Formally closed 23 Jun 1995, handed back by US Forces Sep 1995

Units based here:

On America's entry into the Great War in 1917 Nocton Hall, an 18th Century manor house, was turned into a convalescent home for young American officers. Towards the end of 1919 the now vacant Hall and its estate were sold to William H. Dennis who having little affection for domestic life in the village, did not reside there.

Having lain vacant since the departure of the American military in 1919, Nocton Hall and 200 acres of parkland was acquired by the Air Ministry in 1940 and turned into an RAF Hospital. The Hall itself was used as an Army "clearing station" until 1943, when the US Army took possession of the Hall and grounds for a second time. Nocton became home for the United States Army Seventh General Hospital, built in the grounds behind it, and the Hall was used as the Officers’ Club.

At the end of the War in 1945 the RAF selected Nocton Hall to be their permanent hospital for the county of Lincolnshire. RAF Nocton Hall was a 740 bed hospital under RAF control until 1984, used by civilians and forces personnel, one of the country’s undisputed RAF Hospitals. The decision to close Nocton Hall as a military hospital was taken on 31st March 1983.

In 1984 Nocton Hall was leased to the US Armed Forces for a third time, this time as a United States Air Force wartime contingency hospital. During the Gulf War in 1991/92 some 1300 US medical staff were sent there, many billeted at RAF Scampton. Fortunately only 35 casualties received treatment here during the conflict. In its latter days just 13 American personnel remained here to keep the hospital serviceable.

There followed a short period serving as an RAF forward outpatient department, from 1992 until 1993.

RAF Nocton Hall was again handed back to the British Government to stand empty on 30 Sep 95. After a short period serving as a private residential home, the Hall and grounds are became subject to property development having been identified for disposal by the Defence Estates.

Shortly before midnight on Sat 24 Oct 04 the Hall was set ablaze by arsonists. At its height, about 70 firefighters attended the blaze which started just before midnight. After several hours it was brought under control, but the roof collapsed and the building was severely damaged. Only a shell was to remain.

A second fire in 2005 caused further damage; photos will be added in due course.

source

 

[mcmurray]

We are going to start a Single Project Building Preservation Trust (BPT) for the Hall,this way we can focus our efforts. Has anyone experience with this, or had to deal with them from the other side of the fence?

Alastair

 

[biffvernon]

Alastair, you need to speak to these good folk, based in Heckington:
http://www.lincsheritage.org/

 

[mcmurray]

I did.... they are the ones who advised starting a single BPT, they are very enthusiastic and helpful.

Just found this.... hmm the ball is rolling...
http://www.slrconsulting.co.uk/images/case_study___nocton_hall_and_raf_hospital_nocton_lincs.pdf
Alastair

 

[biffvernon]

I was wandering around Nocton Hall last night (as one does) and met someone who said he thought English Heritage had just commissioned a feasibility study. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[Penners]

Has anyone spoken to SPAB about the place? I don't know how much more help they could be, but any port in a storm.

http://www.spab.org.uk/

What a beautiful building it must have been.