Update on developments  immanent (3rd Feb)

Rushbond PLC now have the development on their website, although so far nothing can be found in building or planning on Wakefield's website.  Quote from site 'Working in partnership with the City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, our proposals for the reuse and redevelopment of the Bretton Hall Estate comprise a luxury hotel and spa with office and workspace accommodation.'   The architects are dla-architecture

The Rushbond article can be viewed by clicking here

Update 19th May 08

I visited the college as part of our walk-about before the meeting held in the Black Bull at Midgely, the previous weekend.  The scene was really quite surreal.  All the furniture is still in the hostel blocks, the grounds have been maintained and the grass cut, but know one is there, apart from the odd security officer.  One of the officers also found it a bit weird as the staff seemed to have just walked out as if someone had told them to evacuate in a fire practice.  Papers and other documents left at desks.  Certainly, when I visited in July 07, the staff were starting to pack up, but couldn't have completed before the final date and holidays.  Our beloved Bretton is in Stasis. 

So what sign of the developers Rushbond?  The answer is simple none!  I have written to Mark Finch at Rushbond now twice, as he is the contact person, but not even had a response. 
By now I would have at least expected plans to be going into the Council and other documentation to be going through the system.  I expect to see a notice of removal for all the huge quantity of very toxic Asbestos pipe insulation in the cellar, or, reports on the mine workings running under parts of the Hall, but still nothing.   Both the Hall and the hostel blocks are listed buildings and I will be keen to see Wakefield place the plans and other documentation in their 'Developments of Interest section' of the Planning process. 

My particular interest in the buildings this time was to try and find out what was happening to Kennel Block, or, as it had become known, the KB Bar.  The reason being that this is the ideal place to hold a medium scale reunion, with folk or other bands for entertainment.  Again, a big blank.  This bit of the estate seems to be in limbo, although I would expect that it will now be part of the Sculpture Park.  I will investigate and report back this month.

Otherwise a sad scene, and not looking good for 09 at least! so!

Back to future reunions

Update Feb 08 Press release from the Council

Update 6th December 07

It is now safe to declare that Bretton is to be a 40 room, luxury hotel.  The company who will develop the hotel have links with the Rothschild group.  So, what happens next?  Well, they will have to go through planning, which will mean that we have an opportunity to view the changes to the layout, and get some idea what is going to happen with the external buildings.  Stable Block, and its surrounds are to be handed over to the sculpture park, and the library will stay.  The developers will be asked to create a new access road to the hall, so as to alleviate traffic through the village.  I personally am sad that the hall will lose its educational links, however, it does mean that there is a possibility of having a reunion or other event in the hall itself, within a luxurious setting.  The idea of singing Motets and Choral music on Flyover again does appeal to me, even if we have to pay a fairly high price for the privilege.  Anyway, lets leave an open mind and see what ideas the new owners will look at.  There is also still Kennel Block and the performance areas?   Who knows?  Ideas will be discussed in the The Black Bull at Midgeley on the weekend of May 3rd-4th 2008.  By that time we will have a good idea of our alternatives.

Update 25th October 07

The choice of new occupant is now down to two, very good bids.  One of the two, also incorporates a 'training element'   The decision has already been made (last Friday), however final confirmations etc have to be completed.  I certainly don't wish to run in front any decision by Wakefield.  I think that they are doing just fine, although my ideas about contacting the 'Shell Foundation' about the formation of an arts complex have never been responded to.  I will publish the choice as soon as I feel that it is safe so to do.  I worked far too long for Wakefield to wish to undermine them.   The article below about a 'tasty bid' looks like it could have been premature, and I don't think that I will be taking up cooking after all.    I also understand that Stable block may be handed over to the Sculpture Park as a display area.   I have yet no idea what is to become of the performance areas.

Update 15th Sept 2007

Meetings have now been held to decide the future of the college, and a pretty comprehensive article has been published in the Wakefield Express.  I have scanned the article as an image file to view.   Click the image to enlarge. 

This seems to be most of the story so far.  One fact that I didn't know about previously was that the Sculpture park doesn't actually belong to the Council, even though the security etc was pretty well integrated.  It may be possible that parts of the college grounds may have to be sold to the Sculpture Park and adjacent farms to help offset the cost of the purchase from Leeds Uni.  The actual transfer is on the 1st October.  I'm sure now that most of the buildings of Bretton will be kept together as a unit.

Clearly, the new owners will have to allow public access, if only to the Independent Library located next to the college library.  Difficulties are going to be experienced I'm sure when it comes to the renovation.  Bretton is a listed building with restrictions on internal changes, like lifts etc.  The heating system is in need of TLC, as are parts of the fabric of the building.  Asbestos and possible mining subsidence were also pointed out to me to be issues.

Anyway, I quite like the Chef School idea.  I suppose its a bit artistic?  Might just take up cooking!  Looks like the next reunion will have a bit of Cordon Bleu (That's a hint) .  Must keep an open mind though, there is quite a way to go yet.  I will keep you posted.  If you hear anything else please let me know!  (01688 302075)

Closure July 2007   The Final Curtain?  

I visited Bretton on Wednesday the 27th July, to take final images and to have a good 'scout around' to see if I could get any insight into what was going to happen after closure. 

Susan Daniels very kindly gave me access to the buildings, and her time to go through what the position of the closure was.  Susan also went through much of the appraisal work that had been done trying to find a viable use for the campus once it was vacated.  I think that this work deserves a separate page, as it will be useful for us to look at what the college could be used for in future.  Certainly, no conclusive offer seems yet to have been made to Wakefield for the lease.

Anyway, my images are purely snapshots of a very sad situation.  They are not meant to be artistic, and were done with a limited timescale.  I'll start with one very sad image of a tree planted in the front of the college as a memorial to a past student who sadly died.  It represents I think how we feel.

All the images are 'thumbnails', so click to enlarge.  Most have a description that can be seen by placing the mouse over the image.

More images can be obtained from the side menu, including images of the staff.

Back to the home page for the link to images 07

Firstly, some panoramas taken around the outside of the main buildings.  When you click on an image you will be taken to a new page.  Mouse over for a description

Notices

Click images to enlarge

Mouse over for a description