Plans have been revealed to use a tower and carriage shed at a Grade II listed hall near Carlisle as holiday units.
Carlisle City Council has received the application to create holiday lets in the annexe tower and carriage shed at Kirklinton Hall.
The plans are part of efforts to generate funds and public interest at the site, ensuring it remains an asset to the area in the future.
Supporting statements submitted to the council read: “The proposals will require minimal physical alterations apart from alterations to two existing external doors to form fixed glazed panels. Formation of three internal doors and openings to carriage shed.”
If approved, the plans will see a mezzanine floor installed along with a new staircase and shower for the tower rooms.
The plans also propose that a shipping container currently in use as a toilet block is removed which will improve the north west elevation of the carriage shed.
Kirklinton Hall is described in the submission as a significant heritage asset and efforts since 2013 have revitalised public interest in the site.
However, the agent continued: “If the main building is to be saved for the future the current owners have demonstrated that the site needs to generate funds which in turn can be used to continue with renovation of the main house and gardens.”
The oldest part of the structure is a medieval Pele Tower or fortified house at the western end, built to protect against Scottish incursions in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Kirklinton Hall was built in 1660 and extended and modified in later periods with 17th century, Georgian and Victorian additions.
In the 20th century, the property was used as an RAF base, a school, a hotel, and a nightclub and casino hosting high stakes gambling parties.
The property has 13.6 acres of gardens and grounds including formal terraces, a water garden, walled garden, orchard, a productive kitchen garden and a paddock. A pretty brook runs through the grounds leading to a waterfall and the Faerie Glen – a woodland walk.
The grounds have been partially restored and are open to the public on occasion during the summer months.
It was put on the market in for £450,000 in April.
Infamous gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray are well-known for their criminal antics with countless TV programmes and films shining a light on the terrible twosome.
What is less known about The Kray twins is that they were reportedly regular visitors to the hall. It was bought by retired farmers Doris and Willie Hay in 1948 who transformed it into a nightclub and hotel in the 60s.
It is said that exotic dancers pranced on the stairs, while big bands played to guests on a glass-floored ballroom.
The upstairs was home to a gaming room, above that, a brothel.
A change in the licensing laws saw the casino suddenly abandoned.
The property fell victim to a fire in the 1970s, leaving its interior badly damaged. The roof was also removed and the inside walls were demolished.
By the 1980s the site was occupied by a recluse who lived among the ruins in a caravan and kept geese. By this time the site was listed, but roofless and crumbling.
It was put up for sale in 2002, and bought by the Boyle family in June 2012, who planned to restore the house and gardens to their former glory.
