Chaddock Hall to be rebuilt after 'near total collapse' of west wing during works

Chaddock Hall in Mosley Common was ravaged by a fire in December 2014 in a suspected arson attack.

The blaze, which is thought to have started in the central wing, caused extensive damage to the inside of the building and "significantly affected the stability of the standing remains".

Following the incident, McCaul Homes was granted approval to demolish and rebuild the east and central wings of the hall to create two houses and make the site the crown jewel in a 27-home scheme.

But an "unforeseen consequence of these works was the near total collapse of the remaining west wing" according to a report prepared by Wardell Armstrong LLP.

The developer was due to face charges at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court last year.

It was accused of damaging the Chaddock Lane site "in a manner which affected the character of a building of special architectural or historical interest" in work it carried out at the site.

After a meeting involving McCaul Homes and the local authority in June last year an "in principle way forward for a rebuild was agreed".

Historic England (HE), which is in charge of protecting listed buildings, was also involved in discussions.

The charges against McCaul Homes were dropped.

Damaged bricks and stone from the demolition and collapse of Chaddock Hall. Picture: Wigan Council planning portal

The view north towards the Chaddock Hall site. Picture: Wigan Council planning portal

A fresh application was submitted to Wigan Council to rebuild the hall and create two homes.

Although HE made no formal objection, the body said it has concerns regarding the proposal on heritage grounds.

A planning report said: "They (HE) consider that the proposal to rebuild the hall would provide very limited mitigation for the loss of the original, as the building would be virtually new and is considered by HE to be devoid of any architectural or historic interest.

"They consider that as the building would read as modern, it is unlikely to achieve the desired aims for providing the context for the remaining listed buildings." 

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Weighing up the plans, Wigan Council said: "The council initially began formal enforcement proceedings in respect of the unauthorised demolition.

"However, the council considers that the current application represents a pragmatic approach that was agreed in principle with the applicant in order to provide a realistic prospect of a suitable re-instatement of the Chaddock Hall building."

The report added the local authority wanted to "avoid a situation where the site of the hall remains derelict going forward with no realistic prospect of a replacement building that reflects the character of the original building or provides any mitigation for the loss of the hall".

The document said: "It is accepted the proposals, or any new building for that matter, will not have the heritage significance of the original Chaddock Hall buildings.

"However the building has been lost and the alternative to approving the application (refusal and enforcement action in respect of the element of demolition) is unlikely to result in a better outcome in terms of the site and its heritage significance, than the application proposals.

"While the comments of HE have been carefully considered throughout the application process, and their concerns are fully noted, they have not formally objected to the proposals."

Plans were also issued to demolish and rebuild the neighbouring grade II listed building Chaddock Hall Barn to develop four affordable homes. But that application was withdrawn.

The garden wall and stone gatepiers enclosing the south garden of the hall are also grade II listed.