RESIDENTS have welcomed plans to turn a stately home into a rehabilitation centre for wounded servicemen and women.

Plans to convert grade-II-listed Stanford Hall, Stanford-on-Soar, near East Leake, into the £200 million Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre went on display at the hall on Saturday.

At the public event, which showed people what facilities the centre would have, Richard Beeby, of nearby Rempstone, said he was very impressed with the plans.

The 56-year-old farmer said: “I have a very positive reaction to the proposals. Ever since the building has stood unused it has been in a kind of limbo.

“I think it’s the perfect setting for soldiers to recover from injuries and a plus for the county too to have such an important centre within its borders.”

If built, the centre will cater for soldiers and also severely injured members of the public.

The 35-bedroom estate has 354 acres, making it four times the size of the Army’s main centre for war wounded, Headley Court, Surrey. If planning permission is granted, the hall, which was used for rehabilitation during the Second World War, would once again offer state-of-the-art facilities.

Prue Adkin, 71, who has lived in Stanford-on-Soar for 40 years, welcomed the plans.

The retired teacher said: “I think local people will like the plans because the hall has stood empty for so many years and a lot of people felt something needed to be done.

“It’s a brilliant cause and I don’t think you could find a better or more beautiful place to recover in Notts than here.

“It makes you feel well just looking out of the window at the stunning scenery.”

The Duke of Westminster, reported to be Britain’s wealthiest landowner, bought Stanford Hall and is donating it to the rehabilitation project.

But the final decision will lie with the Government.

It has said it will make a decision by the beginning of 2014.

Andrew Wardle, 44, lives opposite the entrance to the hall in Leake Lane.

He said his only concern would be an increase traffic.

Mr Wardle said: “I think it’s a good idea to use the hall for rehabilitation – it would be a great use of the facility.

“I do have some minor concerns about increased traffic, so I hope the plans would include some traffic calming measures along our road, but other than that I’m happy about the suggestions.”

If the Government gives the project its approval the centre will open in 2017.

The hall was built in the late 18th century for Charles Vere Dashwood, the High Sheriff of Nottingham.

Further public exhibitions about the plans will take place at Rempstone Village Hall today and Thursday, from 4pm to 8pm.

They will also be on show at Hoton Village Hall, Leicestershire, on July 24, between 4pm and 8pm.