Former home of social reformer MP goes under hammer

Historic Lupset Hall on Horbury Road, which was used as The City of Wakefield Golf Course club house until last year, is being sold by Wakefield Council at a guide price of £100,000-plus. The grade II listed former gentleman’s residence, located off Horbury Road, dates back to 1716. It was bought for the Gaskell family in 1806 and remained in their ownership until 1927 when it was sold to the corporation of Wakefield for £6,370. The first member of the Gaskell family to own Lupset Hall was Daniel Gaskell, the building’s most notable proprietor. Born in 1782, he was a radical and a non-conformist, and was a noted social reformer who was elected as Wakefield’s first MP in December 1832. He was re-elected in January 1835 and served until July 1837. Gaskell devoted much of his life to improving conditions for less fortunate people, including the youth of the district. In 1936 the park land surrounding Lupset Hall was converted into a municipal golf course and the hall itself became the club house. The club moved out of Lupset Hall and into the new purpose-built Gaskell Sports Pavilion last April. As well as providing facilities for golfers, the new building also includes changing accommodation for the resident football and cricket clubs at the site. Tony Webber, director and auctioneer at Eddisons, said: “This is a substantial property on a site of around 0.7 acres, with views over the golf course.” He added: “Following modernisation it could suit either residential or commercial uses, subject to planning.” Lupset Hall is among more than 100 lots at the Eddisons auction, which takes place in Leeds on April 10. The remaining properties to go under the hammer include a vacant detached grade II listed former lodge house on Lidgett Lane, within the curtilage of Moor Allerton Hall in Leeds. It is being offered on the instructions of Leeds City Council at a guide price of £110,000-plus. Elsewhere, the former 18-bedroom Beechwood Rest Home in Scarborough, which could have potential for alternative uses subject to planning, is guided at £250,000-plus. Commercial stock includes a mixed retail and office investment in Wakefield city centre, which is part let to bookmaker’s William Hill at an annual rent of £20,000 per annum. It is being sold off a guide price of £150,000 to £180,000. Eddisons has attracted 112 lots for its next two-day sale which takes place in Manchester on Tuesday, April 8 and at Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road on Thursday, April 10. Both sales start at 12.30pm.