A NEW Bronte visitor attraction could be created at a derelict farmhouse where the parents of the famous literary family lived prior to Charlotte, Emily and Anne’s births.
Originally known as Lousy Farm, the buildings in Liversedge are in need of total restoration.
The complex, which is now called Thornbush Farm, includes a Grade II-listed farmhouse, where Patrick Bronte is said to have lived at the beginning of the 19th Century.
He lodged there at the start of his ministry at Hartshead from 1811 to 1815.
Documents accompanying the renovation plans to Kirklees Council describe how he met his wife while living there and it is possible that the couple’s eldest two children, Maria and Elizabeth, were born there.
It is not clear when Patrick Bronte left the farm, but “it may not have been until his move to Thornton in 1815”, prior to the birth of Charlotte in 1816.
The plans, by property development company Jan Capital Ltd, describe the redevelopment as creating a visitor attraction, exhibition space, café, shop and classrooms for lectures and school visits.
This would involve the farmhouse, piggery and adjacent building being restored to their original condition, rebuilding a single-storey lean-to to the north and two-storey building between the farmhouse and piggery, as well as restoring two outbuildings.
In a design and access statement accompanying the plans it adds: “The farmhouse will be the main visitor attraction telling this little-known story of the Bronte family.
“The two-storey building to be reconstructed will be used as an exhibition space and the piggery will be used as a café and shop with two classroom areas to allow for lectures and school visits.
“The Piggery will be extended to ensure there is enough space to accommodate school visits and historical societies.”
The main farmhouse is described as being in a “very poor condition” and is too dangerous to enter.
A drone has been used to photograph inside this building, but it will not be until the most dangerous elements have been removed, that the historic features can be fully recorded.
Roof tiles are missing to three of the buildings, with rafters exposed for the past five years.
In addition, a previous extension has been removed, and a two-storey building has also been demolished.
“The isolated nature of the site has led to the demolition and theft of all material,” it adds.
The farmhouse is built in natural coursed stone and would have had a stone slate roof – but this is missing.
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