One of Merseyside's most important "at risk" historic listed buildings is to be turned into luxury homes with work having begun at the medieval site.
A project to restore Storeton Hall in Wirral has started, with the 14th Century structure's house and threshing barn to be converted into "unique" homes by developer PJ Livesey Group.
PJ Livesey added that as part of the development, an existing equestrian centre has been rebuilt to provide extensive new stabling and new facilities including an outdoor menage and new parking, BusinessLive reports.
The hall house and barn will be restored and converted into four homes - with 27 new-build properties built elsewhere on the site, and the group said people will be able to move into the first properties next year.
Land director James Woodmansee said: “The opportunity is more important than the geographical location. The company is rightly known for its skill in unlocking complex sites that often include historic elements. But we can bring the same skills to new build sites of all sizes to deliver individual schemes that benefit neighbourhoods.
“Our experience and expertise means we have the ability to deliver sensitive and creative solutions on sites that have often been stalled for years.
“We also look for complete new build projects, consulting extensively with local authorities and local residents to create high quality and well-designed new build homes that fit their location and enrich the neighbourhood. Rather than stick rigidly to a limited number of house types, we approach each site differently providing buyers with a unique choice of homes.
“As a privately-owned family company we can act quickly and decisively, working with landowners to realise the potential of their properties and using our wealth of in-house design, technical and planning knowledge and skills to design new homes appropriate to the location."
Storeton Hall, near Bebington, was built in the 14th century for the Stanley family, and was designated a Grade II-listed building in 1962.
Much of the site, which now features on Historic England's "at risk" register, is used by the neighbouring farm.
PJ Livesey has been represented by Manchester-based law firm Slater Heelis since its inception almost 40 years ago, and the firm acts from site acquisition through to conveyancing.
Partner Will Henson said: “It’s no surprise that the development pipeline is looking so healthy given PJ Livesey’s approach to sensitive development in a variety of contexts.
“It takes vast experience, very specific skills and sound professional advice to successfully develop the kind of sites PJ Livesey specialises in and their reputation for delivering on these complicated schemes stands them in perfect stead on projects which many developers would find overly problematic.”
PJ Livesey said in the past six months, it has secured planning for a total of 263 houses and apartments that include both complex historic conversions and new-build homes.
Recent acquisitions include the 32-acre former Standish Hospital site near Stroud in Gloucestershire and securing planning for 147 homes on the site which include a Grade II mansion house.
It has also recently been selected as preferred developer to deliver a scheme of up to 300 homes at the St James’ Hospital on a 25-acre- site, in Portsmouth.
The group is actively seeking further opportunities across the North West and the rest of the country and looking to expand its land team.
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