Knights estate to be restored
Knights estate to be restored
THE restoration of an estate once home to a powerful order of medieval knights has been given the go-ahead by Wakefield Council.
Andrew Hughes, of Bridgeland Grange Farm, Altofts, revealed plans to breath new life into nearby Newland Hall Estate last year. Unable to finance his dream himself, he has now joined forces with an opencast mining company which wanted to extract coal from a site within the estate at Normanton.
Money from coal sales will help pay for the restoration of several buildings, including the original coachhouse block. It will also finance the creation of fishing lakes and the construction of a luxury housing development.
Mr Hughes said: "I am a one-man band here and the farming industry has taken such a turn for the worse recently that there is no way farming was ever going to fund the rebuilding and upkeep of the listed buildings down here."
Mr Hughes bought Newland Hall Estate, also known as Normanton Park Estate, two years ago. He said he was concerned about the condition of the estate, which in the 12th century was home for a community of Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers.
Like many estates, Newland Hall fell into disrepair in the 20th century, but Mr Hughes has returned much of the land to agriculture, put up new fencing and re-introduced cattle. "I am getting towards the end of what I can do agriculturally here but I am very excited by the idea of restoring the estate. I think it has a big future now."
Future in ruins? Andrew Hughes hopes this 12th century ruin will enjoy new life.