New homes plan for historic hall

A historic house which was once the hub of social and political life in Norfolk is to be transformed in to homes after a legal fight to keep it as an old people's home was lost.

The Old Hall at Snettisham in west Norfolk hit the headlines last year when it closed as a 24-bedroom Sue Ryder Care home after residents finally lost their fight to stay in it.

But now planners want to turn it into 13 apartments, convert a coach house into two homes and redevelop two stables into two dwellings with a further 11 in the grounds.

Built in the early 16th century, any new residents will have a lot to live up to following the list of big Norfolk names who have previously resided at the hall, if planning permission is granted.

In the 1700s it was home to the ancient Norfolk Styleman Le Strange family, a major player in social and political circles - Henry Le Strange went on to found Hunstanton in the 1800s.

And in the 20th century is was home to the longest-serving colonel in the Royal Norfolk Regiment, General Sir Peter Strickland, stepfather to Lady Billa Harrod, founder of the Norfolk Churches Trust.

His wife, Barbara, the last owner of the hall as a home, is still remembered by many in the village.

Derek Ebbs, vice chairman of the parish council, said: “When she went home from the WI meetings she would get me to turn the car for her and then get in it in whatever gear suited and drive all the way home in the same gear.

“She was involved in every bit of the village and was always taking part. And she was a real character.”

She was an ardent member of the WI and president of the Norfolk Red Cross, but died in 1977.

Sue Ryder Care took over the hall before it closed in 2006 and developers KSPG Properties took it on.

Represented by agent Chelmsford-based Scott Jaques, KPSG has applied to West Norfolk Council to carry out the work on the home.

No one was available for comment from the agent.