Plans to bring a large historic property in Derby back into use as a wedding venue have taken a significant step forward after planners approved proposals for Allestree Hall.
The Grade II listed building, which has faced years of uncertainty and repeated delays, is set to gain a new lease of life following the approval of a planning application to repurpose it for weddings and events.
Derby City Council’s Labour administration agreed just over a year ago to begin the process of identifying a preferred bidder for the future of Allestree Hall after several parties expressed interest. A key condition of any sale was that the successful bidder would take urgent action to halt further deterioration of the building and continue to provide access to public toilets at the site.
Property developer Staton Young was subsequently selected as the council’s preferred bidder and has been carrying out essential works to stabilise and improve the building over the past year.
The future of Allestree Hall has been uncertain for a number of years, particularly after a previous sale collapsed in 2022 in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. The early-19th-century country house, built on land once owned by the Mundy family of Markeaton Hall, was commissioned by Bache Thornhill and designed by architect James Wyatt.
Despite its historic significance, the building was declared surplus to requirements by the city council several years ago and, due to its poor condition, has been placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.
The council said Staton Young was chosen because of its track record in restoring and repurposing historic buildings. The company submitted a planning application last year seeking permission to convert Allestree Hall into a wedding and events venue.
Under the approved plans, the hall would host weddings and events for up to 160 people, with an anticipated three to four weddings each week. Fridays and Saturdays during the summer months are expected to be the busiest periods.
The proposal would complement Staton Young’s wider wedding and hospitality portfolio, which includes Horsley Lodge Golf Club in Derbyshire.
A planning statement submitted on behalf of the developer said the proposals represented the minimum level of intervention required to support the new use and had been designed to respect the historic character of the building. It said continued use of the hall would help safeguard its long-term future and heritage value.
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Speaking at a cabinet meeting in December 2024, councillors expressed hope that the preferred bidder process would finally secure the future of the building after years of setbacks.
Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa said at the time: “We’ve had many false dawns with Allestree Hall. We need closure and its success.”
In its decision notice, Derby City Council said it had worked with the applicant in a “positive and proactive manner” and confirmed the application had been approved without the need for amendments.
