Approval of application would create more than 50 new jobs
PLANS have been unveiled to create a luxury ‘deconstructed hotel,’ spa and wedding venue at a North Staffordshire beauty spot.
The ambitious plans for Consall Hall Gardens, near Wetley Rocks, would see a number of ‘eco-lodges,’ tree houses and shepherd huts dotted around the 70acre site to provide accommodation for visitors.
Meanwhile, existing features of the gardens would be altered to create a barn wedding venue, wellbeing spa, and a bar and restaurant. It is thought the new resort would create 50 jobs, plus additional seasonal opportunities.
The venture is the brainchild of Ben and Sarah Reeves, who own The Ashes Barns wedding venue at Endon, and William Scott-moncrieff, of Basford Hall.
Ben, aged 40, said the intention was to enhance and preserve the site. He said: “Over the past few years the gardens have deteriorated. We have all lived in the Staffordshire Moorlands all our lives and we want to maintain Consall for future generations.
“We have been working very closely with our architects and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for the past six months, and this week we have started an in-depth consultation with residents and the parish council to get their feedback on the proposals, prior to putting a planning application in some time during December.”
The gardens were designed and created by the hall’s former owner William Podmore OBE, who died in March.
Under the proposals, Consall Hall’s existing Doric column portico would be preserved and form the main entrance to a ‘guest hub,’ while the former ‘gentleman’s country house’ would be remodelled to create a bar and restaurant, which would be open to the public as well as guests.
The Lady Park Garden folly at the south end of the gardens would be extended and transformed into a spa facility with plunge pool and treatment rooms.
Meanwhile, Consall Hall’s existing wedding facility would be replaced with a new purpose-built, single-story, ‘horticulturally-inspired’ barn wedding venue, and the estate’s original walled garden restored.
The proposals state that the impact of the development on the area’s landscape will be minimal, and steps are being taken to protect the gardens’ ‘high ecological value.’
Mr Scott-moncrieff, aged 26, said: “William Podmore spent 50 years on the gardens and they are unbelievable. They need someone to take them forward, and without a project like this it’s just not sustainable.
“I think this would be a really good use of the gardens to bring people into the Staffordshire Moorlands and to create jobs.”