Brotton Hall

Brotton Hall in 1974 - Taken and contributed by Mrs K. Chester Brotton Hall dates from the 1780s. It was built by the Stephenson family who had made their money from the timber trade. One man who remembered how the news of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo reached Brotton, recalled how everyone danced and sang outside 'Mr Stephenson's Hall'. When Robert Stephenson died in the 1820s, the house, together with a third of the old manor of Brotton, passed to his daughter, who married Thomas Hutchinson. They lived here in what became known as Brotton Hall until 1860, but had no children. It then passed to several other people who occupied the Hall only briefly before it was acquired by Bell Brothers and then Dorman Long to house a succession of mine managers, including D.W. Dixon.Information supplied by Tony Nicholson

Rundown Old Hall Set For Fresh Start

The Northern Echo
Friday 20th April 2007

AN historic hall is set to return to its former glory after councillors gave their backing to a housing and restoration scheme.

Brotton Hall - an 18th century Grade II listed building - will be converted into apartments and more houses and cottages will be built behind the site.

The development will restore the building, currently standing in a dilapidated state.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's planning committee approved three applications relating to the site at its meeting last Thursday.

The first application was for permission to convert and extend the hall, off High Street, into four apartments, one three-bedroomed house, and two cottages.

Permission was also granted to demolish a row of garages at the back of the site and replace them with 18 houses, including 29 parking spaces.

Councillors were also asked to grant conservation area consent in order for the scheme to go ahead.

A report to the committee stated: "The conversion and refurbishment of the listed Brotton Hall, which is currently in a poor state of repair, is considered something which would be of benefit to the town and the wider borough."

But residents living near to the hall - although wanting to see the building restored - raised a number of concerns. Chris Tanner, a resident of Brotton House, which is next to Brotton Hall, said some of the houses would overlook his property and have an adverse effect on privacy

He said: "This to us is unacceptable. We are also concerned about the devaluation of our property. We feel it is an over population of a small space.

"We are in support however of Brotton Hall itself being developed to its former glory and are looking forward to seeing that happen."

Resident and local historian Tony Nicholson said: "I think we would all welcome the renovation of Brotton Hall.

"It has been shamefully rejected for many years; we would all like to see it restored."

But Mr Nicholson said his concerns included the density of the development at the back of the site and the need to develop the building in keeping with the conservation area.

Councillor Peter Spencer, chairman of the planning committee, said: "I have a great love of old buildings and think this building is going to be completely saved."

Councillor Stephen Kay requested a condition be attached to the plans to build the scheme using materials which would be in keeping with the age and location of the building.

Permission was granted with extra conditions added, including addressing the privacy of residents and using materials in keeping with the conservation area and hall.

OLd postcard of Brotton High Street showing Brotton Hall on the right