Woolley Hall Hotel Spa Wedding Venue Planned After Council Sale

Woolley Hall Hotel Spa Wedding Venue is the planned future of the former council owned mansion near Wakefield. Wakefield Council sold the vacant hall at auction in August for just over £1.5m. Its deputy leader says the new owners plan to bring it back into use.

The building dates back to 1635. It became council property in 1947. It has been unused for around a decade. More council news is on the official Wakefield Council website.

Woolley Hall Hotel Spa Wedding Venue Plans After Auction Sale

John Thomas is deputy leader and portfolio holder for resources. He confirmed the sale in a report for a full council meeting on Wednesday. The hall sold for £1.51 million after significant interest.

It is now owned by Bradford based developers. They intend to turn it into a hotel, spa and wedding venue. Thomas said the plans will respect the hall's heritage, which goes back to 1635.

Why Wakefield Council Sold Woolley Hall

The former Labour administration first planned a wedding venue and spa. It then decided to sell the hall in 2024. Reform UK has controlled the council since the local elections in May.

Thomas said the sale was decisive action on a long running drain on resources. Security, repairs and maintenance all cost money. He said these costs affect the council's budget. He also said the previous administration failed to sell the property.

Other Council Property Sales and Plans

The council also sold the old High Well School in South Hiendley. The 12.7 acre site went at auction for £900,000. That was almost ten times its guide price. It had been vacant for more than a decade.

Work is also under way to rationalise office space. Pontefract Municipal Building is no longer suitable as offices. The council is looking at future use or disposal. A new lease of life is planned for the Five Towns Resource Centre in Castleford. A proposal is heading to cabinet later this year.

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