The new owner of a Birmingham architectural gem is drawing up plans to restore it to its former glory in time for its 400th anniversary.
Heritage property investor from the city council after the authority decided against restoring the property itself.
Parts of the Grade II-listed building, in Chester Road, Erdington, were built in 1620 and Mr Poutney wants to redevelop it into a 60-bed hotel, spa and swimming pool in a £7 million scheme.
He told the Post it had taken two years of negotiation to secure the hall, in which time he has had to invest £145,000 to overcome fire damage and save it from demolition.
Mr Poutney said: “We have got plans to return it to its original grandeur.
“The main building is 16th century and the stables, which were 17th century, had been set on fire and completely destroyed.
“In the past, people have wanted to knock barns down and put houses up there and planners were against that, which is why it didn’t meet its reserve at auction.
“We eventually did a deal and while the paperwork was going through we dealt with the fire damage on the barns. The gable walls needed rebuilding and it all ended up costing about £145,000.”
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Mr Poutney, a specialist heritage restorer, wants to employ local restoration to help him with the redevelopment work.
Pype Hayes Hall was the home of the Bagot family for 250 years before being sold to the council in 1920.
It lies in Pype Hayes Park and over the years has been used as a children’s home and, more recently, housed social services officials. But it was sold after lying empty for years.
Mr Poutney has won awards for restoring other historic buildings in Birmingham, with the likes of The Drop Forge, Branston Court and Cuckoo Wharf among his previous developments.
He said he was excited about getting to work on such a historic building and wants to engage with the surrounding community on the scheme.
The hall is said to conceal a secret tunnel to escape from Cromwell’s army in the English Civil War.
Mr Poutney said he was planning “patient investment” and said it could take more than 15 years to generate a return.
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He plans to hold an open day this year and wants to engage local people with the scheme.
He added: “I am going to restore it to what it was and create a 60-bed hotel, spa and swimming pool.
“It is going to cost quite a develop it.
“Everyone loves the place and wants to see it put right. Nothing has ever really worked so far, but this is hopefully work to maintain it for the next 200 years.”