Plans have been put forward for a partial change of use for a Grade II Listed Building in Longsdon.

The application, submitted by Miss Delphine Lovatt for Dunwood Hall in Leek Road, is to allow the partial change of use to allow weddings/civil ceremonies, christening, birthday gatherings and charity functions to take place at the premises.

A planning statement submitted with the application on behalf of the applicant said that proposals were for part of the current residential property of Dunwood Hall to be changed from dwelling to mix used of dwelling.

The statement said: “The house will be used for the ceremony and wedding receptions, and possibly other smaller events such as Christening or birthday gatherings.

“There will only be a small number of weddings and events held each year as the family wish to maintain the hall as a family home.

“The money generated from the event business will be primarily used to maintain the upkeep of the listed building and so keeping the house in good repair.

“The business plan prediction was to run 12 weddings a year for approximately the first two years and then gain a premises licence and increase the number of weddings and events to bring increased revenue in for the house, for up to 40 events a year.”

The maximum numbers of people would be 94 for the ceremony and wedding breakfast and 150 for evening guests.

However the business would be also focusing on smaller intimate weddings, which the owner feels to cover a gap in the market.

Catering would be a temporary tent and kitchen in the back yard, provided by external caterers serving the house from the rear door. The bar area would also be temporary feature contained in the main hall.

Guests would be allowed in the gardens and photography allowed in the hall.

The plan states that 50 car parking places in the field and a further eight spaces could be obtained around the house.

A guests drop off and parking system would be employed and monitored by staff. Dunwood Hall was built in 1871 by Thomas Hulme as a dwelling for his family. His ownership ceased at the turn of the century and since then it passed through an owner until Ruth Vincent Kemp, the grandmother of the applicant bought it in 1960s. The building was listed in 1987.

The planning statement adds: “Dunwood Hall has seen many events over its history, and in the last decade Camilla Lovatt, the applicants mother, has ran a small business.

“However she never had more than 12 events a year so did not need a premises licence. The business ceased as she became ill and sadly died in September 2010.”

The decision on the application is expected to be made by planners within the next eight weeks.