Topic ID 3405
Cycling up Ware Park Road now that the evenings are a bit lighter I notice that Bengeo Hall looks in a rather sorry state and that the drive entrance is boarded up. I have not seen any sale signs up and wondered if anyone knew what was happening to this rather nice house and garden. Was the conversion of the stables and the other new house in the stable area meant to help fund work on the Hall?I remember when Holy Trinity had their fetes there, not so long ago and the setting seemed quinitessentially English
Reply ID 49338
A quick Google suggests that its embroiled in a court case going back a couple of years or more. There were a few references but this one seems to summarise it: [url]http://www.tonybingham.co.uk/column/2006/20060929.htm[/url]
Reply ID 49340
Bengeo Hall was briefly on the housing market last summer for (if I remember correctly) £1.3 million. I know because I spent a month desperately hoping for a lottery win, or the death of an hitherto unknown distantly related millionaire - all to no avail. My short-lived dream was shattered and somebody else bought it. The Hall is indeed in a sorry state judging by the photos that were posted on the estate agent's website at the time (I think it was Churchill's) and I wonder what is going to happen to it now that it has been bought. I hope it doesn't get converted into luxury flats as happens to so many large houses these days. If my miracle win had happened, I wanted to return the house to its former glory and be a family home once again, bearing witness to my family growing up. Ahhh... it was a lovely dream while it lasted and I'm allowed to dream, especially when I can't afford to buy property anywhere in Hertford. I hope someone takes good care of it. (I wonder if it's haunted)
Reply ID 49347
I remember when My & Mrs Savory senior lived there and the beautiful walled garden, one of the few places I have seen pink lily of the valley growing! It is such a shame it has been allowed to get to its current state. I do hope it gets sorted by the new owners.
Reply ID 49395
quote:Thanks for that, depressing reading though. I should have googled for it, I tell other people to do that and then don't following my own advice.
Originally posted by Leo Densian
A quick Google suggests that its embroiled in a court case going back a couple of years or more. There were a few references but this one seems to summarise it: [url]http://www.tonybingham.co.uk/column/2006/20060929.htm[/url]
Reply ID 49396
Bengeo Hall was sold at auction for £1.5 million http://www.property-investor-news.com/articlesdetails.lasso?-token.recordID=33454
Reply ID 51273
I have heard that there are plan afoot to build a rather grand house in the grounds of Bengeo Hall (STPP), and that the Hall itself will be restored to its former glory in the very near future...
Reply ID 51274
quote:Looks like it! [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0508/FP"]3/08/0508/FP[/url]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
I have heard that there are plan afoot to build a rather grand house in the grounds of Bengeo Hall (STPP), and that the Hall itself will be restored to its former glory in the very near future...
Reply ID 51350
quote:There's nothing in the application that mentions restoring the Hall itself. I still wonder if it will be split into apartments.
Originally posted by Marilynquote:Looks like it! [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0508/FP"]3/08/0508/FP[/url]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
I have heard that there are plan afoot to build a rather grand house in the grounds of Bengeo Hall (STPP), and that the Hall itself will be restored to its former glory in the very near future...
Reply ID 51358
quote:That's covered by another planning application that was submitted at the same time [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0508/FP"]3/08/0508/FP[/url]
Originally posted by lemonjellyquote:There's nothing in the application that mentions restoring the Hall itself. I still wonder if it will be split into apartments.
Originally posted by Marilynquote:Looks like it! [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0508/FP"]3/08/0508/FP[/url]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
I have heard that there are plan afoot to build a rather grand house in the grounds of Bengeo Hall (STPP), and that the Hall itself will be restored to its former glory in the very near future...
Reply ID 51367
Aha... Thanks Steve.
Reply ID 52651
Looks like the application has been withdawn [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0508/FP&backURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display>Search%20Criteria</a>%20>%20<a%20href='wphappsearchres.displayResultsURL?ResultID=208368%26StartIndex=11%26SortOrder=APNID:asc%26DispResultsAs=wphappsresweek2%26BackURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display>Search%20Criteria</a>'>Search%20Results</a>"]3/08/0508/FP[/url]
Reply ID 52678
With regards to the other application (link below), what does ''called in' by the secretary of state' mean? [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0509/LB&theTabNo=1&backURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display>Search%20Criteria</a>%20>%20<a%20href='wphappsearchres.displayResultsURL?ResultID=203192%26StartIndex=41%26SortOrder=APNID:asc%26DispResultsAs=wphappsresweek1%26BackURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display>Search%20Criteria</a>'>Search%20Results</a>"]3/08/0509/LB[/url]
Reply ID 52681
quote:This is for the listed building consent. As I understand it the District Council does not have the authority to make a decision on this - only to make a recommendation. It has to go to central government for a final decision because of the listed status.
Originally posted by lemonjelly
With regards to the other application (link below), what does ''called in' by the secretary of state' mean?
Reply ID 52700
Thanks again Steve...
Reply ID 52707
I wasn't aware Bengeo Hall used to be used as a budget hostel type place? http://somewherenear.com/idx.cgi?a=show&spt=3&east=532901&north=213592&unique_id=3344&rlimit=10&sessionkey=483ed1c57121&placetype=3
Reply ID 52709
quote:Hostel? I think it was a guest house. It was once listed in the [url="../accomm.htm"]accommodation section[/url].
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
I wasn't aware Bengeo Hall used to be used as a budget hostel type place? http://somewherenear.com/idx.cgi?a=show&spt=3&east=532901&north=213592&unique_id=3344&rlimit=10&sessionkey=483ed1c57121&placetype=3
Reply ID 52717
I was just surprised how much it has fallen into disrepair if it was still being used in the early-mid 2000's as a guest house type place. It certainly is a beautiful property that deserves to be looked after. If renovated to a high standard it will be worth a bloody fortune..
Reply ID 52719
I am sure the family used to allow guest for Bed abd Breakfast, it certainly has gone down hill quickly, I think due toe the damage done to the roof! It is not that long ago that it was still lived in, I think by the Savory family but I could be wrong.
Reply ID 53057
Latest application approved with conditions so maybe something will start happening [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/0509/LB&backURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display>Search%20Criteria</a>%20>%20<a%20href='wphappsearchres.displayResultsURL?ResultID=217632%26StartIndex=1%26SortOrder=APNID:asc%26DispResultsAs=wphappsresweek2%26BackURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display>Search%20Criteria</a>'>Search%20Results</a>"]3/08/0509/LB[/url]
Reply ID 55029
quote:I don' really see what the problem is myself. It's only one house, the proceeds from which will no doubt finance the refurb of the hall itself.
Originally posted by Steve
http://www.hertford.net/blog/#bengeo_hall_campaign
Reply ID 55031
quote:That seems to be the gist of the latest application. Basically, if the council doesn't allow the developer to build the 'detached dwelling' in the grounds of Bengeo Hall, the Hall will not be renovated. [url="http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/08/1362/FP&theTabNo=1&backURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display?paSearchKey=114001>Search%20Criteria</a>%20>%20<a%20href='wphappsearchres.displayResultsURL?ResultID=242915%26StartIndex=1%26SortOrder=APNID:asc%26DispResultsAs=WPHAPPSEARCHRES%26BackURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display?paSearchKey=114001>Search%20Criteria</a>'>Search%20Results</a>"]3/08/1362/FP[/url]
I don' really see what the problem is myself. It's only one house, the proceeds from which will no doubt finance the refurb of the hall itself.
Reply ID 55032
quote:It sets a precedent. If it's OK to build "one house" on green belt land, then what about two, or maybe a terrace of 3 or 4? Where do you draw the line and how do you justify where the line is drawn? I would also question whether a planning officer has the authority to change green belt policy. As for financing renovation of the hall itself, this is a private matter and nothing to do with the council. The current owner must surely have been aware of the costs before he purchased the property. If he intended to meet these costs by building a house on green belt land you would have thought he would have contacted the council informally beforehand to gauge what the chances were of the plans getting approval.
Originally posted by exiled_in_Readingquote:I don't really see what the problem is myself. It's only one house, the proceeds from which will no doubt finance the refurb of the hall itself.
Originally posted by Steve
http://www.hertford.net/blog/#bengeo_hall_campaign
Reply ID 55033
quote:Is Oak Mead built circa 2005, not built on Greenbelt land then? It's maybe a bit long in the day to start worrying about precedent. Your beloved Labour has presided over a 60 per cent increase in house building on Green Belt land in the past few years. One house is sod all compared to what Prescott has allowed to occur up and down the country. If building this house means that scroats wont be going into the property nicking stuff and trying to burn it down because it will be secure, and eventually refurbished, it would take a very small minded local resident to make an objection to this, bearing in mind the totality of the situation the hall finds itself in.
Originally posted by Stevequote:It sets a precedent. If it's OK to build "one house" on green belt land, then what about two, or maybe a terrace of 3 or 4? Where do you draw the line and how do you justify where the line is drawn? I would also question whether a planning officer has the authority to change green belt policy. As for financing renovation of the hall itself, this is a private matter and nothing to do with the council. The current owner must surely have been aware of the costs before he purchased the property. If he intended to meet these costs by building a house on green belt land you would have thought he would have contacted the council informally beforehand to gauge what the chances were of the plans getting approval.
Originally posted by exiled_in_Readingquote:I don't really see what the problem is myself. It's only one house, the proceeds from which will no doubt finance the refurb of the hall itself.
Originally posted by Steve
http://www.hertford.net/blog/#bengeo_hall_campaign
Reply ID 55034
quote:Since when did you presume to know my political views? Or come to that, my opinion on this particular proposal? And I'm not quite sure why you feel the need to be so antagonistic.
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
Is Oak Mead built circa 2005, not built on Greenbelt land then? It's maybe a bit long in the day to start worrying about precedent. Your beloved Labour has presided over a 60 per cent increase in house building on Green Belt land in the past few years. One house is sod all compared to what Prescott has allowed to occur up and down the country. If building this house means that scroats wont be going into the property nicking stuff and trying to burn it down because it will be secure, and eventually refurbished, it would take a very small minded local resident to make an objection to this, bearing in mind the totality of the situation the hall finds itself in.
Reply ID 55670
Planning application for a 'new detached garage' has been approved with conditions. http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/ImageTemp/104789-21009.pdf
Reply ID 66885
Bengeo hall is now for sale at a shade under 4 million quid.
Reply ID 66891
quote:I see it has two downstairs cloakrooms too [;)]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
Bengeo hall is now for sale at a shade under 4 million quid.
Reply ID 66903
And it comes with a two-bedroomed detatched cottage. It's a shame Steven Oates couldn't sort out a floorplan on their website, though - They mention one but haven't actually supplied one. Has anybody got any ideas as to what this week's lottery numbers will be???
Reply ID 66904
quote:and a boot room ...
Originally posted by Willowquote:I see it has two downstairs cloakrooms too [;)]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Reading
Bengeo hall is now for sale at a shade under 4 million quid.