Fight to Preserve Grade I Listed Building Ends as Fire Razes it to the Ground

AFTER A LONG fight to conserve a historic, Grade I listed building dated to 1704, it has been razed to the ground in an all-night fire.

Eighteenth century Woolton Hall, a former country house with parts dating to the 16^th century and located in the suburbs of Liverpool, was fully engulfed in flames, completely gutting the house and collapsing the slate roof.

Fire crews were alerted to the blaze at the abandoned three-storey, 100m² building at 8pm on 19 August, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reported.

Nine fire engines and an aerial appliance attended and the fire was extinguished at 2am. The fire service remains at the scene.

Fight to Preserve Grade I Listed Building Ends

Woolton Hall had been a private residence for most of its history, changing hands several times in the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century it was variously a hotel, wartime hospital and school, until it lay empty for the past 50 years.

The building is on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register, category A, meaning it was at immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric.

Having been extensively remodelled and renovated in 1772 by the influential architect Robert Adam, the building was recognised as a fine example of Adam’s work in the North of England.

Housing several notable paintings and murals, including by 18^th century artist David Teniers the Younger in the Tapestry Room, the building was oak panelled and featured typically ornate plasterwork. The principal staircase to the second floor is an Adam’s original wrought iron baluster with a moulded mahogany handrail.

Many campaigns were led by locals to preserve the building amid repeated warnings that it was at risk of vandalism and arson attacks. A 2005 scheme to convert the building and its surrounding estate to a 62-retirement apartment development was rigorously rebuffed by community campaigners.

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