Consall Hall Estate
Securing a Sustainable Future
Consall Hall Gardens is an existing visitor attraction highlighted in the Churnet Valley Masterplan which identifies Consall Hall Gardens as an ‘Opportunity Site’ with the potential to help deliver their goals through what VisitEngland call the ‘Wise Growth’ of the area. Our proposal will safeguard the future of this incredible attraction in line with their objectives. We wish to realise the potential of these stunning gardens through sustainable tourism that is sensitive to Consall Hall Garden’s treasured heritage, landscape and ecology.
We plan to conserve and protect what makes Consall Hall Gardens so special, whilst securing the sustained up-keep of these wonderful gardens.
Two Local Families Join Forces
Two local families, passionate about safeguarding the future of Consall Hall Estate and Gardens have embarked upon a joint venture aimed at securing ongoing public access to the hall and gardens and the future up-keep of the gardens.
The people behind Consall Hall Estate Limited are Ben and Sarah Reeves (of The Ashes Barns, Endon) and William Scott-Moncrieff (of Basford Hall); they bring a wealth of experience to the project, combined with personal and longstanding links to the local area and community.
Working with local conservation architects, CTD Architects of Leek, their exciting plans for the site will provide an economically viable and sustainable future for the gardens.
Enhance and Preserve
The upkeep and maintenance of these extraordinary gardens requires ongoing, substantial investment. We would love this opportunity to restore the gardens and garden views to their former glory, in line with Mr Podmore's vision for this incredible landscape. Left unattended the gardens will continue to decline as they have done in recent years, indeed many of the garden views have already been lost to the undergrowth.
The original plans for a stunning walled garden on the estate were never completed. As part of our proposal for the estate, we plan to fully restore and complete this stunning addition to the grounds.
Local tree surgeons Tree Heritage, a long-established family-firm, have identified many dead and diseased trees that need to be removed, along with some quick-growing poplars that were planted to provide shelter for other species which are now mature.
A sensitive and skilled approach to the ongoing evolution of these wonderful gardens is at the forefront of our proposal.
Low Impact Changes
Visually, the impact of the proposal upon the gardens is low with many of the new elements purposefully designed to be discreet and inconspicuous.
The proposed redevelopment of the existing wedding venue will not impact the landscape setting as it will be contained within the walled garden, which will itself, benefit from re-planting and restoration.
The proposed redesign of the existing Hall works with the original stepped terraces.
The new eco-accommodation is discreetly positioned within the established trees and mature shrubs onsite.
Protecting The Ecology
The ecology of the surrounding areas, encompassing the magnificent Consall Valley and the wider Churnet Valley area will not be affected by this proposal. Protecting and preserving the the high ecological value of this site, is of paramount importance to us.
A detailed ecological habitat survey has been undertaken and whilst Great Crested Newts are not present onsite, precautions will be put in place nonetheless, during the restoration and redevelopment of the site.
The main house has been identified as a bat roosting site and the retained roof will be designated a 'bat roost' with additonal bat boxes located around the walled garden area of the site.
Positive Local Links
This nationwide, year-round, guest and visitor offering will positively contribute to the regeneration of the Churnet Valley and the economy of the Staffordshire Moorlands. Its high-quality leisure offering will encourage and promote linkages with other visitor attractions and amenities in both the Churnet Valley and wider district, further enhancing the benefits for all of sustainable tourism that is sensitive to the surrounding heritage, landscape and ecology.
Visitors will arrive from all around the country; they'll be encouraged to explore the Staffordshire Moorlands and Churnet Valley; we'll promote walks along the Caldon Canal and visits to the Churnet Valley Railway; guests will be provided with maps, bikes and even wellies if required!
It is envisaged that some 50 jobs will be created, plus additional seasonal employment.
Inspiring Innovation
In brief our proposal would see the inception of the UK's first 'deconstructed hotel'. It will offer all the first class facilities you expect from a luxury hotel but its core elements are discreetly located around this stunning 70 acre site, rather than in one central building.
Our wellbeing spa will offer a serene and relaxing space to unwind whilst the new horticulturally inspired single storey wedding venue will be a unique setting for relaxed, romantic weddings.
Share Our Vision
Take a Tour
Bar & Restaurant
Guests enjoying an overnight stay or short-break, will be invited to access the resort's facilities via the hospitality hub. Consall Hall's existing Doric Column Portico will be preserved and form the main entrance to the guest hub which acts as the focal point for this 'deconstructed' hotel venture.
The existing, heavily-modified and altered, former Georgian Gentleman’s country house, will be remodelled and enhanced by the addition of a new contemporary, single-storey, mostly-glazed wing, with a Sedum ‘green’ roof creating space for a fantastic new Bar and Restaurant. Spa visitors and non-resident visitors can enjoy drinks, bar snacks, lunch and dinner menus featuring incredible, locally-sourced food. Breakfasts will also be available for overnight guests.
Accommodation
Overnight guests will be able to choose their preferred accommodation from a unique collection of eco-lodges, tree houses and shepherds huts, sensitively positioned within the existing established trees and mature shrubs of this 70 acre estate.
Each lodge will be located to maximise its own views into the gardens, whilst maintaining privacy by the use of natural hazel wattles and shrub planting. The positioning of the lodges will minimise their appearance from within the gardens and none of the accommodation will be publicly visible beyond the boundary of the site.
Fun and appealing, each 1 bedroom lodge has its own sustainable drainage solution whilst the low-impact, reversible, foundation design of this modular accommodation will minimise any tree-root interference and massively reduce construction logistics during the re-imagining of this spectacular landscape.
Wellbeing Spa
The existing Lady Park Garden folly at the far south end of the gardens will be extended and transformed into a Spa facility with plunge pool and treatment rooms.
Enjoying incredible views across the beautiful gardens it will be a very special place to enjoy a pampering treatment followed by a light lunch and a glass of prosecco with friends.
Our luxurious spa treatments will help you to relax and unwind, making your short break even more enjoyable.
Barn Wedding Venue
The large existing building to the northeast of the hall, adjacent to the former walled garden, known as the Halcyon Room, is currently licensed as a wedding venue and features a reception area, catering kitchens, bar, toilets and an adjoining permanent marquee.
This would be replaced with a new purpose-built, single-story, horticulturally inspired barn wedding venue, which would facilitate the restoration of the original walled garden.
This new barn wedding venue is brought to you by Ensarb Ltd which is owned by Ben & Sarah Reeves. Ensarb Ltd already operates three successful wedding venues in The Midlands and the team brings a wealth of experience to this exciting element of the proposal.
The new barn wedding venue will have the same capacity as the current venue but will be eco-friendly and benefit from the latest sound insulation innovations. We are passionate about safeguarding the tranquility of this amazing location and all events will be strictly managed and monitored.
The celebrations will end at midnight with all music turned off well before any external doors are opened. Wedding guests can take advantage of the onsite accommodation resulting in less guest movements at the end of the night.
As with our other wedding venues there will be a strict no firework and no Chinese lantern policy.
Discover The Wedding Venue
Countryside Escape
Preserving the rural setting and raw beauty of this countryside escape is of the utmost importance to us.
There will be no flood lighting or 'street' lighting of this precious landscape. Downward facing, low light LEDs supplemented by individual LED torches supplied to overnight guests, will enhance the sense of adventure for any guests navigating the site after dark.
A strict one way traffic management system will improve on the current traffic flow to and from the site, while discreet onsite parking and promotion of local taxi firms will keep traffic volumes to a minimum.
Thank You
This project is very close to our hearts. We have longstanding family ties to this outstanding area of natural beauty and we want to do everything we can to safeguard its future.
Thank you for your interest in this exciting project. The public consultation process has now ended. We received some fabulous feedback and any concerns were reviewed in detail and helped to shape our plans for this incredible area.
