Crumbling Dovecoat landmark at Hulton Park to be restored

Developers Peel Land have been given the go-ahead to restore the Dovecoat building at Hulton Park, an early 19th century structure that has long needed repair.

The proposal, lodged in November last year, was linked to the developer’s plan to build 1,450 homes at Lee Hall along with a link road at Park Avenue.

A heritage statement said: “Hulton Park was formerly the estate of the Hulton family.

“It contains the remnants of an 18th century designed landscape, though its condition has deteriorated since the family vacated in the mid-20th century.

“It is bound to the east by Newbrook Road and residential development at Over Hulton, to the north by the A6, and to the south by existing residential development in the environs of Hag Fold station.

The Dovecoat is found on Hulton Park (Image: Newsquest)

“The western boundary includes residential development and open fields.”

It added: “The Dovecote that is proposed to be repaired and restored is grade II listed. It is a brick structure and dates from the early 19th century.”

The plans to restore the Dovecoat were received and validated by Bolton Council on Monday November 17 last year.

The heritage statement said: “The Dovecote was added to the statutory list in 2005 and comprises an early 19th century red brick structure with a grey slate roof.

“It is octagonal in shape, with a hipped roof and internal nesting boxes.

“It possesses historic and architectural interest as a good example of a dovecote of this period, and for its association with Hulton Hall, which was demolished in 1957.”

The restoration work will include stripping away the roof tiles with each one then to be recorded for re-use before repairs needed on the roof structure are looked at.

The pointing in the brickwork will be carefully raked away by hand before being 100 per cent re-pointed.

Any bricks that need to be replaced will be reclaimed from somewhere else on the Hulton Park the estate. 

Bolton Council announced on Friday March 20 that the restoration plan had been approved.