Plans to restore Grade II listed Overstone Hall by converting part of the fire-damaged building into apartments have been partly approved by West Northamptonshire Council, despite officers recommending refusal.

The proposals, submitted by Fairline Homes, were considered by the council's strategic planning committee on Thursday (July 2). They formed part of a wider scheme to restore the historic hall, which was badly damaged in an arson attack in 2001 and further vandalised in recent years.

The plans included restoring part of the hall to create 19 apartments, alongside Listed Building Consent, and a separate application to build 77 homes on the surrounding land to help fund the restoration.

Planning officers had recommended refusing all three linked applications, arguing the works would cause further harm to the Grade II listed building and reduce its historic significance.

An artist's impression of the hall after the proposed works Credit: Fairline Homes

placeholder image — An artist's impression of the hall after the proposed works Credit: Fairline Homes

However, councillors questioned whether there was any realistic alternative to save the hall after more than two decades of decay.

Speaking on behalf of Fairline Homes, agent Peter Frampton described the proposal as "the only show in town" to secure the building's future.

He told councillors: "After a quarter of a century of dereliction and decay and the hall being subject to a major arson attack, regular break-ins – some 67 this year – it's time for positive conservation to take place."

Planning documents showed the restoration would retain and repair the remaining facades while converting part of the building into 19 apartments. Other sections, including the east elevation, service wing, 1930s refectory extension and south wing, would be demolished.

Heritage experts objected to the plans, arguing they would cause unnecessary harm to one of Northamptonshire's most significant historic buildings. The council's historic buildings team also criticised the design of the proposed apartment blocks, saying they resembled "an airport hotel" rather than a development suited to a country house setting.

Councillor Adrian Little said the building risked becoming unsalvageable if no action was taken.

The committee voted to approve the restoration of the hall and the conversion into 19 apartments, together with Listed Building Consent.

However, councillors deferred a decision on the separate application for 77 homes after concerns were raised over highways, ecology, flood risk and the design of the apartment blocks. The application will return to the committee once further information has been provided.