Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

Roger doesn't agree with me. I think it should be purchased and turned into a Heritage/Visitor centre similar to the one at Barrowford.

It could hold all the items belonging to the Briercliffe Society and exhibit them also sell local books, history books, walking books, Lancashire produce and Lancashire souvenirs. It could also house a cafe for walkers and tourists.

It could have regular exhibitions on many things "Lancastrian" including the Pendle Witches also Farmers Markets to help local small businesses.

Roger said it would cost £1million to renovate and at the end of it only be worth £700,000. So what. Our heritage SHOULD NOT come down to money and profit making.

Sorry-don't get me started!!

I'm with you on this Anne. I think so much could be made of the place. A bit along the lines of the Pendle Heritage Centre.
I guess we'll never see this but a nice thought.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Whilst I agree with your sentiments this will never ever happen in a million years. Apart from the fact that Extwistle Hall has been neglected for far too long and I would imagine is actually pretty dangerous now, the estimate of £1,000,000 in MY opinion to renovate is grossly understated.
The amount of historic property ( in far far better condition than Extwistle Hall) that has been demolished in the Burnley and Pendle area is actually quite criminal really.
What is even more disturbing is the design and quality of the property that has been erected in their places.
We demolish beautifully built stone stone buildings
and replace them with concrete and glass monstrosoties that are ready for demolition within 50 years at the most.
Makes my blood boil to be honest

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

I don't agree with the 'neglected for too long' sentiment. I don't know if any of you watch Grand Designs (hate the program really but Lyndon likes it) but there was a building on there that was about the size of Extwistle Hall. It was in Yorkshire I think and was a Scheduled Monument. The place was in a far worse state than EH but a guy bought it and spent lots (I mean LOTS!) of time and money and heartache on restoring it to it's former beauty.
So, not impossible but unlikely I would say.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I didn't see that programme but I saw an episode of Build a new life in the Country where a middle aged couple bought a listed 14th century farmhouse in the wilds of Northumberland. It was a total ruin. They did a marvellous job renovating it and then they came across the foundations of what had been a fortified bastel ( a Scottish fortified house or castle ) They had to start building it again from scratch using stones from nearby fields. The result was fabulous. This was much older than the farmhouse and a lot older than Extwistle Hall and they managed to do it.

I agree about the loss of wonderful buildings in and around Burnley. I notice that there is one that looks ready for demolition. I think it could be the old court house. Coming into Burnley centre by the dual carriageway passing by Sainsbury's it is on the left lower down than Standish Street. We are usually queueing when we get there and I admire the architecture every time. A beautiful building

Yes Pollyanna,it is the old courthouse building and it has been in private ownership for many years now. Several ideas have been put forward for future use such as hotel, night club,piano bar,casino etc etc. I think the problem has always been the lack of off street parking in that area.
As you say it is a nicely designed old building and it would be a shame if it had to be demolished.

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

This was the Grand Designs project I referred to.
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/grand-designs/houses/S/skipton.html

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Anne, I think the difference with the heritage centre in Barrowford and Extwistle Hall is the position. The heritage centre has a busy road passing it, and it is seen by thousands whether they stop or not. Unless you are going through Roggerham for a specific reason Extwistle will not be noticed. There would be more chance of money for the likes of The Holme in Cliviger, a similar thing could be done there, as at Barrowford.
Its sad to say, but I think Extwistle has had it. The access wasn't good when I last went years ago, and I don't know how much land there is with it, although it must be quite a bit if they were thinking along the lines of a golf course. Did we ever find out wh owned it? The land must be rented out to the local farmer, Starkies? surely they would know who owns it.
I think it would have to be lottery money, I doubt any council (Burnley or Briercliffe) would put their hands in their pockets to rescue it, especially when you see how they have let other properties be demolished.
I agree with what you say about the old court house, another impressive building in need of a little tlc. AND, the old market hall, that was dreadful whoever gave the go ahead for that to be floored.
BUT, if people don't fight for these things they will continue to disappear, and all that will be left are concrete and glass boxes.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Gloria I think the problem with the English people is that we are reluctant to protest at things like this,stiff upper lip and all that.
I am just waiting to see what happens to the beautiful stone buildings at Burnley General Hospital that face onto Briercliffe Road. These wards have been closed down for about a year or more and all the windows are boarded up. I have a feeling that they will be demolished before too long.
I assume that the powers that be have decided it is uneconomical to bring them up to current standards.
All this happening while they are putting up new buildings within the hospital grounds and unbelievably closing down other parts of the hospital and moving services 12 miles away to Blackburn and busing nurses from Burnley to Blackburn.
What a crazy mixed up World we live in.

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

Roger told me that the owners were a company registered in the Isle of Man.
According to the Manx Register of Companies:
Company Name Extwistle Properties Limited
Company Number 036281C
Company Type PRIVATE, LIMITED BY SHARES
Registered Office 28 Finch Road, Douglas
Date of Incorporation 28/10/1987
Presence of Charges N
Date Company Dissolved 20/12/1999
Status DISSOLVED

Which doesn't actually take us any nearer knowing who owns it now.

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

That'll be why I didn't find it....it was Isle of Man.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Does any-one know if Extwistle Hall could be sold? I am sure Roger mentioned that a compulsory purchase order had been put on the building. I may be wrong though. I don't really understand what this means. Does it mean that the council could purchase it or would it be available for any-one who had enough money to buy it?

Don't know if that makes sense but I know what I mean!!!

Not sure Anne about that.I did hear the council were going to do that.All I know for definite is that it is on English Heritages Buildings at risk register as a category A risk,but dont think that any funds are planned to preserve it. Even if the council did a compulsory purchase on it what good would that do if they do not have funds to preserve it. Very sad really. A bit about it on here.

http://burnley.devplan.org.uk/document. ... policy=E34

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

A compulsory purchase order as I understand it means the council decide to buy it and the owners are obliged to sell to them. But I can't see the council wanting it because of the restoration costs and the constraints on what they could do with it.

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

Well,reading the article on the link I posted it would appear that the Burnley Council do own it because it seems they are inviting proposals for sympathetic restoration. Well thats how I read it anyway.

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.