About the Winding House

The History of the Project

The Winding House building is approximately 140 years old and is the only original Victorian building remaining on Victoria Dock. It stands as an impressive reminder of what Victoria Dock once was and is a focal point on entering the Dock. (see “Did You Know” for more information on the history of the building.

The Winding House is currently owned by Hull City Council and it has stood empty and semi derelict for the last 17 years. In 2001 the Council decided that they did not want the ongoing liability of maintaining an old building and put the Winding House out to tender. This was the starting point of the project to bring this wonderful relic from the Victoria age, back into use.

In the spring of 2002 a small group of residents all keen to see that the Winding House didn’t become a warehouse or a new block of flats banded together to see what could be done!

The Winding House is not a listed building and it could therefore be acquired by a commercial developer and either knocked down or substantially altered and put to commercial use.

The first task that ‘Aspire’, the name of the steering group which has been led throughout by members of the Victoria Dock Church, was to consult with the other residents of Victoria Dock. What did we want to use the Winding House for, who was in favour of it being saved anyway? Questionnaires were pushed through letterboxes and under the noses of the people enjoying a quiet pint at the pub!

Two community consultations carried out in 2002 gave the idea of developing an educational trail around Victoria Dock (a bit like the fish trail) to hi-light, bring to life and celebrate the unique and important historical and environmental features of the area. These include the Citadel, Sammy's Point, Hartley Bridge and the estuary mudflats. At the centre of the trail would be the Winding House, restored to its former glory and incorporating community meeting rooms, a café and exhibition space.

Who has developed this idea?

During the last four years the scheme has developed. Major achievements are as follows:-

• Hull City Council agreeing to hand over the Winding House to the community for £1
• Heritage Lottery granting a sum of money to enable a full ‘bid’ to be submitted.
• Collating of information to submit to the Heritage Lottery in June 2005 – no mean achievement. The documentation included a full Business Plan, Audience Development Plan, Architects Plans, Schedule of Costs and Letters of support.
• Planning Permission granted February 2006 (hopefully)