Stepping back in time in Glossop

A former Victorian mansion that until two years ago housed Glossopdale School's Sixth Form Centre is returning to its roots.

Talbot House - once owned by Lord Howard and home to some leading industrialists - could soon have people living there again.

Acting on behalf of private developer DOFNS Ltd, P4 Planning has prepared a full planning application for the redevelopment of the half acre site.

Incorporating a combination of five new residential units through the conversion of the main house, its coach house and annexes, it has been submitted to High Peak Borough Council for approval.

Given the expected go-ahead by the council, the transformation could see all the homes completed and on the market by Christmas, with some ready to move into by the summer.

Work has already started inside the house on former classrooms and in other parts - preserving and improving the oak panelled ‘Nestle Room’ with its carved fireplace, window shutters and other gems from the 19th century.

An oak parquet floor in another room has been discovered under more modern day coverings.

Once Glossop’s biggest mansion, Talbot House sits in landscaped grounds, a flight of  stone steps leading to a terraced lawn, bordered by woodland and a pond, all in the Howard Park Conservation Area.

DOFNS Ltd say the application will enable the ‘sympathetic conversion’ of the historic house, creating five separate family dwellings and restoring the site to its original residential use and preserving the character of the Conservation Area.

Director Steve Walker is proud of the work his company has done to preserve the heritage of the old Duke of Norfolk Infant School in Old Glossop, transformed into apartments, which won a Derbyshire Heritage award.

The Grey Mare, Charlesworth, was turned into homes and The Hunters, a mile down the road in Chisworth, re-opened as a pub.

He said: “We want to restore Talbot House to its former glory, we will keep the original features.”

The former stately home has been developed over the years with new annexes added to house various college facilities.

Talbot House is described as a non-designated heritage asset and as such the scheme presents an opportunity for a sensitive design and renovation that restores and reinstates many of the original period features and corrects ‘inappropriate alterations’ from the past. 

Rhian Thomas, associate at P4 Planning, said: “The vision for this new residential scheme is to deliver a high quality, sustainable and viable development on a vacant brownfield site that is located within a sensitive conservation area setting.  

“Approval of the development will ensure that our client can help realise its full potential, bringing welcome new homes to the area.”

Owners and tenants of Talbot House include Sir Samuel Hill Wood, the influential Partington family, and cotton manufacturers including Hugh Beaver, a former High Sheriff of Anglesey.

The wider project team includes architects Randfield Associates, transport specialists SKT, Orion Consulting, Heritage, arboriculture team Cheshire Woodland and Rachel Hacking Ecology.

Images:

PERIOD FEATURES: The inside and the grounds of Talbot House.