The progress of plans to convert an 18th century hall in Hazel Grove into residential apartments is uncertain.

Torkington Lodge was given approval for conversion into 13 shared ownership flats in 2020. Such apartments involve buying a 50% share with the Council to help people to get on the housing ladder. 

Since then, however, this beautiful regency building sadly seems to be deteriorating. Ivy creeps up the walls, as the prospect of refurbishment becomes more daunting and costly. 

Nub News has approached Stockport Council planning for more information.

Gillian Clarke, Chair of the Friends of Torkington Park (FoTP) group, said FoTP are keen to see the building repaired and utilised for future generations, and are therefore 'concerned' about the current disrepair of the Lodge. 

"We have welcomed this development to enable the Lodge to be put to good use as housing for local people", Gillian said. 

"We would like to see the Lodge used for the benefit of local people, and are concerned and frustrated about the Lodge and its current state. It has been unoccupied for a number of years with no repairs being done, and it can only be deteriorating."

Torkington Lodge was built around 1790 by the Leghs of Booths. From 1837, it was a girl's school until the 1860s when Thomas Barlow bought it and built the gatehouses. His son, Sir John Emmott Barlow MP JP sold the house to Hazel Grove and Bramhall UDC in 1937 which then passed to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. 

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