A FRAGILE building believed to be one of Barnsley’s oldest manor houses has received a wave of support from Historic England officers following a long-awaited site visit.

Staff from the organisation met with MP Dan Jarvis and Peter Stevenson - who is attempting to find a way to bring Grimethorpe Hall back into use - last week.

The Grade II*-listed building - which was built in 1670 for Robert Seaton - has long been the subject of a series of failed bids to bring it back into use since it was last occupied in the 1960s.

Having been a mainstay on Historic England’s annual heritage at-risk register in recent years due to its decaying state, it’s since attracted more publicity from local MPs and residents who are determined to secure its long-term future.

Tom Frater, Historic England’s regional director, described the hall as a ‘nationally-significant’ one.

“We were pleased to meet Dan to discuss Grimethorpe Hall,” he told the Chronicle.

“We have supported ongoing discussions with community representatives and the local council to look at possible future uses for the hall.

“This nationally-significant Grade II*-listed building is a remarkable example of Barnsley’s heritage but requires extensive repairs and has been on our at-risk register for several years.

“We set up a project with the University of Sheffield where students devised an overall design vision for the site and a series of possible options for it to have a viable future.

“We hope this will serve as a useful toolkit for the local community to draw on, to help secure a future for this much-loved building.”

Uncertainty over the hall’s ownership - due to an outstanding mortgage on the property being held by a Phillipines-based businesswoman - appears to have been made clearer.

The hall was escheated - which effectively means its ownership passes to the Crown when a company dissolves - but it is hoped that Historic England’s acknowledgement of its importance and its Grade II* listing will all go in its favour long-term.

The Crown will sell to a purchaser and positively views community use or public ownership, according to Mr Stevenson.

“It was a positive site visit and we see Dan’s involvement as key as he’s very much on the ball with matters such as this,” he added.

“It’s still on the at-risk register and Historic England see it as a very important asset to Barnsley’s history.

“The long-term plan is very much as it was before: we’d love it to become a hub for the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, but also include a cafe and museum due to its past.”

Dan, who represents the Barnsley North constituency, cast his eye over students’ prospective plans for the site at the meeting.

“Barnsley has a proud industrial heritage and Grimethorpe Hall is a striking reminder of that,” he said.

“I don’t underestimate how difficult it would be to restore the hall but Grimethorpe deserves a community asset that local people can enjoy and make their own.

“I am grateful to Peter and Historic England for their efforts to raise awareness about the hall and work to try and secure its future.”