The condition of Firbeck Hall today, 70 years later.
1/21/2005 Story
By Howard Poucher 
The hall has stood empty and unused for several years since it was bought by local construction firm boss Glen Saint.Since then no plans have been released for its future use—giving rise to local speculation.
The Advertiser tried unsuccessfully to contact Mr Saint, who in the past has come in for criticism for failing to complete a housing development in the picturesque village of Harthill.
The luxury homes have stood empty and unfinished for 18 years—and have now been slammed as an eyesore by local people.
Roy Newman, chairman of both the Laughton and District Conservation Society and the Dinnington History Society said he had serious concerns for the future of Grade 2 listed Firbeck Hall.
"At the moment the hall is in fairly good nick but it needs a lot of money spending on it," he said, "and there seems to be no plans for its future.
"Frankly the fear of people in Firbeck is that the the hall could disappear in one way or another. It's a wonderful building, but someone could make a lot of money if it was not there and the site was available for housing."
A council spokeswoman said: "This is a Grade 2 listed building, which means it is one of the most important in the Borough, and which at the moment is watertight and secure.
"We will be looking at it as part of a Borough wide survey of the condition of older buildings. As for the future, that is a matter for the owner but they will have to comply with Grade 2 listed conditions.
