A “dour” entrance to a former stately home will be turned into a “more substantial, befitting” area if plans are given the go ahead.

Brogyntyn Hall, in Oswestry, is a Grade II listed 16th Century home on the edge of town which has been empty for many years.

The hall and its grounds were sold in 2000 and Shropshire councillors gave the nod for a controversial scheme to develop 50 new homes in the grounds of the mansion in November 2014.

Applicants J Ross Developments Ltd said the 50 new builds, plus the conversion of the Home Farm to create a further 11 homes, would fund the restoration of the Grade Two* listed property which has fallen into disrepair.

Now J Ross has applied to renovate the Oakhurst Road entranceway to make it more appealing for when the scheme is complete.

In its application, it said: “An application was made in 2016 for the temporary taking down and setting aside of the southern entrance splay at the Oakhurst entrance. 

“This was taken down in order to facilitate easier access during the heavier, principal construction works. 

“Now that the vast majority of heavy works utilising this entrance have been completed – or indeed will be in the next six months, it has become apparent that the entrance would benefit from revisions – especially given that it will act as the principal entrance for any would-be purchaser of the estate, moving forward. 

“All material that was set aside i.e. rubblestone wall sections and coping stones, have been set aside just west of the entranceway, ready for re-use.”

It adds: “As the works progress well on the main hall and stableblock, it is now time to turn attention to the approaches and how these can be improved if possible. 

“The elephant in the room so to speak at Brogyntyn is the somewhat dour looking primary entrance from Oakhurst road; a set of splayed rubblestone walls, coped, simply lead you to a cattle grid and series of agricultural gates and stock proof fencing. 

“To the unknowing visitor, this entrance gives little or no indication of the magnificent hall that lies just a short drive west. 

“It was therefore decided that a more substantial, befitting entrance should be designed to sit upon this driveway location, that serves multiple purposes.

“Inspiration was taken in the first instance from a visit to the nearby Shropshire village of Leighton, near Buildwas, where a similar entrance configuration exists; a fairly well travelled minor road with a splayed entrance serving one or more functions.”