Over the
centuries the lands belonging to the Hall have been eroded bit by
bit until now only the garden and woods immediately adjacent the
Hall remain part of the current property. The farmhouse
remains, but under separate ownership and the barns and other farm
buildings have been converted into attractive homes, listed
buildings to provide the context to the Hall itself.
The nearby fields which form such an
essential backdrop to the historic building remain as meadows with a
pond and stream as well as a number of majestic trees. Despite
the temptation to use the proceeds of developing this land to fund
restoration of the Hall, the planning authorities resolutely refused
to compromise the setting of this beautiful old building.
However, in 2012, a property
speculator in collusion with the previous owners of Hempshill Farm
who retained ownership of the land when they sold the house, applied
for planning permission to "develop" the fields with
a modern housing estate.
The owners of the Hall, together
with other local residents, set up an action group to fight the
development proposal. More information on their activities can
be found by clicking
on this link.
To see more photographs of
Hempshill Fields, click on any of the images below.
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