‘Urgent’ repairs needed to preserve historic Gotts Park Mansion

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Urgent repair work to historic Grade II Listed Gotts Park Mansion will help preserve the building for the future, architects have said.

A planning application has been submitted to install new steel beams and columns underneath existing steel beams in the basement which are corroding. The works are essential to support the structure of the building, which dates back more than 230 years.

The plans, submitted by Leeds City Council, also include replacing existing basement windows, which are currently bricked up, with aluminium ventilation louvre panels and mechanical vents. It’s hoped increased ventilation in the basement will help reduce corrosion.

The mansion is currently home to Gotts Park Golf Club, a community interest company which took over the management of the course from the council last year.

Gotts Park Golf Course
Gotts Park Golf Course: Golf has been played on Gotts Park since 1933

A heritage statement has been produced to accompany the planning application by architects NPS Group. It said:

“The proposed works in general will not be taking away any significant amounts of historic fabric but preserving the structure for future generations and will be adding to the knowledge and ability to interpret the building.”

The report adds that the mansion is one of the first Greek revival structures in Yorkshire and is of ‘immense historical value’ which has influenced other buildings in Leeds.

Gotts Park Mansion was built in 1781 for Leeds merchant Thomas Woolrick. Benjamin Gott, a wealthy mill-owner, first leased the mansion then bought it in 1812. The mansion was then remodelled by Robert Smirke, architect of the British Museum.

Gott’s descendants lived in the mansion until the 1900s when, after the end of World War I, it was used as a hospital.

In 1928, the building and grounds were taken over by Leeds City Council on a 999-year lease from the Wades Charity, on the condition that they be used as a leisure space for the people of Leeds.



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