Bolesworth eyes historic Cheshire school conversion
The company wants to transform the grade two-listed Harthill Cookery School to provide a restaurant and pub off Harthill Lane.
Designed by Day Architectural, the scheme would see the school building and schoolmaster’s house completely renovated to provide a food and drink establishment.
Bolesworth Estate’s proposals also include the demolition of a 1960s extension to make way for a new single-storey extension and patio, as well as a three-bedroom staff apartment upstairs.
- Before. Credit: via Radar PR
- After. Credit: via Radar PR
Dubbed the Harthill Hub and Trails, a children’s play area and a 1,000 metre walking trail would be created across the six-acre site that cater to individuals with physical disabilities. The walking trail would later feature interactive displays and sculptures.
Guests would be provided with 59 car parking spaces, including four disabled and four electric vehicle charging bays.
Dating back to 1868, the Cheshire building has been vacant since the cookery school closed in 2020.
Nina Barbour, managing director of Bolesworth, said: “As well as creating a brand-new leisure space that generates footfall and creates jobs, we want to breathe life back into what is one of the most beautiful areas of Cheshire.
“We are mindful of the impact it will have locally as this is such a historic building, and the response has been positive and welcoming, with many people keen to see an empty site turned into something that will benefit the community, notably families, walkers, and small businesses”, she continued.
“We will be looking to make quick progress and begin the development immediately if we do receive the green light from planning.
“The school has been vacant for a long time and there is an appetite for a high-class, top-quality destination that will reinvigorate the village.”
Plans include an outdoor play area. Credit: via planning documents
Mike Crowther, Bolesworth’s property and leisure director, added: “The project celebrates this incredible rural area, its nature, and heritage.
“There are so many benefits beyond the investment into the area, from the sourcing of local food and drink from independent suppliers to the restoration of a historic building, which has lain empty for years, improvements in access to the site to ease traffic congestion, and a high-quality customer experience”, he continued.
“We will continue to work closely with the community, the Sandstone Ridge Trust, the parish council, and other relevant bodies to ensure we all take this journey together and provide an opportunity for sustainable economic growth that we hope will become a firm favourite with locals and attract new visitors – notably walkers and cyclists – to one of this region’s hidden gems.”
Goodwin Planning Services is the scheme’s planning consultant. Also on the project team is transport consultant SCP, landscape architect Environmental Associates, and arboricultural consultant Mulberry Tree Management.
Zenergi is the mechanical engineer. Egniol is the environmental consultant.
To find out more about the plans, search for application number 23/01923/FUL on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning portal.
I’ve seen similar schemes do wonders for an area (thinking on the Monsal Trail in particular). This one looks really high quality, and throw in the walking trails and play area are a bonus to bringing a historic building back into use.
By Jon P