Council ready to buy dilapidated mansion

PLANS to buy the land on which the Victorian Hollies mansion in Werneth stands have been drawn up by Oldham Council.

Although the authority owns the building, which has been badly damaged by vandalism and fire since it closed three years ago, it does not own the freehold and leasehold interests on the land.

The situation is more complicated because the council owns the building as the sole trustee of the William Taylor Hague Trust.

The building, presented to the council’s health committee by the Hague family in 1930, was last used as mental health resource centre.

It closed because it needed nearly £400,000 to bring it up to standard.

And the council has to pay for the trust to buy out the freehold and leasehold.

Although The Hollies is not a listed building, there is a covenant on the site restricting its use to the health and welfare of the residents of Oldham, for relief of the sick or poor.

Plans have been discussed by the council’s executive directors to use the grounds for a new medical surgery and health centre, or to demolish the house and use the site for a bigger integrated care centre, including a library, chemist’s shop and café.

But the cabinet member for health and adult services, Councillor Brian Lord, says no plans have so far been drawn up.