History
The hall dates from the early 17th century, with an interior panel bearing the date 1657, which likely corresponds to a major phase of construction or refurbishment. Originally built as a gentry house, Light Oaks Hall was part of a larger residence, of which only two bays and two storeys survive today. [1]
On 7 November 1966, Light Oaks Hall was designated a Grade II* listed building for its architectural and historic significance. [2]
In February 2024, two related applications were submitted to Wigan Council for development within the grounds of Light Oaks Hall. The applications sought planning permission and listed building consent for a scheme that included the demolition of an existing storage barn, the construction of two semi-detached dwellings, and the conversion of an existing outbuilding into a garage and store, together with associated landscaping and access improvements. [3]
In November 2024, an application for listed building consent was submitted proposing the erection of gates and pillars up to 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) in height, the creation of a driveway and turning head with vehicle access from Light Oaks Road to the hall's courtyard, and the removal of the existing courtyard brick wall. The application was refused in May 2025, with the council concluding that the proposed development—due to its scale, siting, design, and the removal of an existing boundary wall—would overly domesticate the rural and agricultural setting of the hall, causing harm to its character, setting, and the appearance of the wider complex. [4]
Light Oaks Hall is currently in use as a private residence and is not open to the public.
Architecture
Light Oaks Hall is constructed of brick with stone dressings and a slate roof. The surviving structure comprises two bays of what was originally a three-bay house. The left gable was rebuilt, and the rear was extended during the 20th century. [1]
The windows are among the most striking features. Bay 1 contains a 10-light double-chamfered stone mullion window with a king mullion on each floor, while bay 2 has similar 5-light mullioned windows. All windows are fitted with hood moulds, adding to the building's distinctive character. [2]
The doorway retains its original studded door, set within a heavy chamfered surround and topped by an obtuse-angled lintel. Above, the first floor is decorated with a lozenge pattern in black brick headers, a notable stylistic detail that enhances the visual interest of the façade. [2]
A projecting chimney stack is located on the right gable end, forming a prominent vertical feature of the structure. Inside, the entrance opens directly into the house-part, which preserves 17th-century oak panelling, including three armorial panels and a fourth panel combining arms with the date 1657. The room also features three heavy ovolo-moulded beams with stepped stops, reflecting the craftsmanship of the period. [1]
The architectural critic Pevsner described the east elevation as "spectacular," noting its arrangement of large mullioned-and-transomed windows, which suggests the house was originally much larger than the surviving fragment. [5]
Location and setting
The hall faces east, overlooking a broad lawned front garden. As of 2021, to the north were its former outbuildings, including a barn that had already been converted. Among these was an altered single-storey structure dating from the 19th century, believed to have originally served as a shant, or agricultural worker's dwelling. At that time, this building had been the subject of proposals for conversion into a single-bed apartment. Also present was a modern storage shed, a utilitarian structure that featured in planning applications for demolition and replacement with new dwellings. [6]
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