PLANS have been submitted for the reconstruction of part of an agricultural building in the grounds of historic Holcroft Hall Farm, in Holcroft Lane, Culcheth.
The farm is a Grade 2* Listed Building dating from the late 15th or early 16th century.
It is believed to be the house from which Maria, or Mary Holcroft, married Captain Thomas Blood, after eloping with him in the 1600s. Blood later became the infamous “Colonel Blood” who attempted to steal the Crown Jewels in 1671.
But the farm building subject of the planning application is of modern construction, having been built on the site of an earlier, dilapidated barn in 2008.
Reports presented to borough council planners indicated the building has no historic significance and the changes proposed will have no impact on the historic hall.
The plan is convert part of the building for residential purposes, adding a number of windows and doors.
It is intended to restore some of the pre-2008 building’s features.
*Colonel Blood, an Irishman described as one of the biggest rogues in history, attempted to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, posing as a parson. He failed and was arrested but was pardoned by Charles II, who apparently admired his audacity.
