00:00The Grade II listed former Coroner's Court building in Wakefield dates back to around 1810
00:07and was originally a private residence called Egremont House.
00:10It became the headquarters of the West Riding Rivers Board from 1869 until 1950.
00:16The property was then used for council offices before being converted into a Coroner's Court in 1983.
00:24Inquests for the Wakefield and Leeds area were moved to a £2.7m facility opposite Wakefield-Westgate railway station three
00:31years ago,
00:32with the council transferring ownership to Rush Bond after a report said it was outdated for the needs of a
00:38court.
00:40Council reports previously said the building would likely be converted into a hotel or apartments,
00:45but now plans to transform it into a creative hub of studios and workshops have been approved.
00:51A planning statement said the proposal aims to enhance accessibility, upgrade existing services
00:57and undertake essential repairs to improve the building's sustainability,
01:01while carefully preserving the key heritage features.
01:05Proposals include carrying out some demolition work within the property
01:09to allow for the installation of a lift and to provide wheelchair access.
01:14Rush Bond is also in the process of converting the city's former Crown Court building
01:18into a multi-use arts venue to include a food hall, offices, event space and studios.
01:24The projects form part of a wider council-backed strategy to revitalise the civic quarter.
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