Linkage exciting new vision for Weelsby Hall

Linkage Community Trust (‘Linkage’) have collaborated with multiple experts planning a visionary future for the historically important Grade II listed Weelsby Hall and estate near Grimsby. The beautiful late Victorian Hall needs sensitive refurbishment to preserve and protect the building. Their plans will enhance the charities facilities to support people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity with a specialist training centre, a bigger and better sensory library and offices. In the beautiful grounds the Courtyard buildings will be converted into eight modern, accessible, self-contained and fully equipped residential units, with minimal changes to the existing layout. They will form part of a residential care home. This new and exciting development will enhance the current Linkage college site and conservation area.

Weelsby Hall itself is currently having emergency repairs to the roof to prevent water damage to the building. This initial work has been funded in part by grants from, amongst others, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust, The Historic Houses Foundation and North East Lincolnshire Council. The Linkage plan will prevent the hall falling into disrepair and the loss of this historic link with the local fishing industry.

Valerie Waby, Linkage CEO says,

“The beautiful Weelsby hall and estate will have a new lease of life and a sustainable future, whilst keeping their unique heritage and character alive for our communities to enjoy. We’re all looking forward to seeing the latest developments on this site become reality, and increase much needed provision in Greater Lincolnshire for local people with special needs.”

Inside the hall, the main central entrance and magnificent staircase will be kept, with the addition of a lift, a kitchen, accessible baby change and washroom facilities at the back of the building. Plans for the original ground floor reception rooms are to use them as meeting and training rooms which allow the character and unique fireplaces in each one to be preserved. On the first floor, existing modern partitions will be removed to re-instate the same historic floor plan of the original design. This floor will accommodate a new Linkage IT department, with a quiet prayer room, staff toilets and a kitchenette. The second floor is currently in poor condition. Once repairs are complete this loft space will become a sensory equipment storage facility and small offices. Externally the hall will have the current rainwater pipes and drains replaced with cast iron matching the original designs, the exterior balustrades will be cleaned, and new windows fitted. New stone steps and a ‘stepless’ lift completes the sensitive design for a modern, fully accessible building.

Linkage is about to formally present the plans for approval by the North East Lincolnshire Council. The plans have been drawn up by Anotherkind Architects and prepared in compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and guidance published by Historic England (Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Historic Environment, 2008). Specialist conservation engineers, timber specialists, ecological and building surveyors, and project managers with experience of heritage sites have collaborated to bring the vision of this forward-thinking charity to life.

This is a major project for the Linkage charity and fundraising for the work, which includes a new animal care facility next to the college, is ongoing

The design team for the Weelsby hall project (left to right) are: Lucy Wilson and Susannah Hudson – Anotherkind Architects, Sarah Sorrell from Oakley Estates – accessibility consultant, Wally Laing & Michael Harris CPMG – M&E consultants and Sam Flewitt and Luke Baxter from Stat BC -Principal Designer/Health & Safety advisors.