DENTON Hall and the wider Denton Park Estate which has been home to engineering firm NG Bailey for almost 50 years has been sold.

The buyers are members of the Bailey family - Cal and Nick Bailey - who are shareholders of the family owned business.

The brothers now have ambitious plans to create a small, exclusive hotel and craft an estate which will contribute to the reversal of climate change.

Denton Hall, located in an elevated position high above Ilkley, is a Grade 1 listed Georgian country house. The hall is set in the heart of 2,500 acres of colourful and secluded grounds.

NG Bailey, which celebrated its centenary in 2021, is the UK’s largest independent engineering and services business. The business bought Denton Hall in 1976 and over the years it has carried out extensive refurbishments.

An NG Bailey spokesperson said: “Denton Hall and wider Denton Park Estate have been part of the NG Bailey business for almost 50 years. Over that period the hall has been the Group’s head office, a working estate and a successful and popular wedding and events venue.

“In the summer of 2020 the business was approached by Cal and Nick Bailey, members of the Bailey family and shareholders of the business, regarding the potential purchase of Denton Hall and Denton Park Estate.

“As the hall and estate are non-core to NG Bailey’s engineering and services business model, a strategic decision has been taken to accept the offer.

“Although plans for the future of the hall and estate are in the very early stages, the buyers will focus on the heritage and conservation of the grade one listed building, coupled with sustainable and environmental management of the wider estate.

“NG Bailey will be vacating Denton Hall and Denton Park Estate in early 2023. All current activities, weddings and events will continue as planned until this time; all relevant parties have been notified of the sale."

Denton residents were invited to a meeting with the Bailey brothers earlier this month to hear their vision for Denton Hall and the wider estate.

Cal Bailey said: “Having started a conversation with Denton residents, we now intend to explore whether it is possible to convert the existing residential training centre in to a small exclusive hotel that complements our ambition to craft an Estate that will contribute to the reversal of climate change and the national decline in biodiversity.”