7:50am Saturday 9th June 2012
By Annette McIntyre
A historic Yeadon landmark is being highlighted by a national campaign group as a “crumbling gem” in need of rescue.
Nineteenth-century Nunroyd House features in the annual catalogue of buildings at risk published this month by the conservation charity, SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
Each year the heritage group shines a spotlight on around100 historic buildings in need of repair throughout England and Wales. These “gems” are also added to an online database to attract suitable people to take them on and restore them to their former glory.
Nunroyd House was built in around 1890 for Jonathan Peate, a local mill owner and benefactor of the town, close to his woollen mill, Ghyllroyd, which is now demolished. In more recent times it has been known as Brummel’s Nightclub, and is now the subject of a planning application to turn it into a children’s day nursery.
SAVE says: “Although unlisted, the Gothic revival building is an important local heritage asset and has been identified by the council as a positive building within the Yeadon Conservation Area.”
The building has lain empty for several years since its time as a nightclub. During that time slates have been stripped from the roof, causing water damage.
SAVE says: “Despite some alterations to the interior layout, the house retains historic character and many original features survive.
“Located in the north-west suburbs of Leeds between the towns of Guiseley and Yeadon, the house has an attractive lakeside setting in Nunroyd Park - now a public park - which has a history stretching back to medieval times.
“Given the building’s prominent location a sympathetic scheme for reuse is needed.”
In an objection to the current application Aireborough Civic Society describes Nunroyd House as “extremely important in the history of Yeadon and Guiseley,” and members say they have been concerned for some time that it has been left empty and neglected.
The society is welcoming the fact that the building is to be repaired and used again - but is objecting to unsympathetic details and a lack of information in the application.
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