The "Vale of Belvoir" Enters New Chapter as a Community and Events Destination

The former Scalford Hall is undergoing an exciting phased reopening, set to revitalize this historic Leicestershire property. It will be transformed into a dynamic community hub, offering hospitality, wellbeing activities, and events, all guided by a strong social purpose.

A new chapter is beginning for one of the Melton Mowbray area's most recognisable country properties.

The Vale of Belvoir, formerly known as Scalford Hall, has begun a phased reopening under plans that could see the estate become a major community and events destination, alongside hospitality, wellbeing, training and social-impact uses.

Calming the Storm, the non-profit social-impact organisation involved in the initiative, says its objective is not simply to bring the building back into use, but to create something that delivers a lasting benefit for the surrounding community.

The organisation is now inviting local residents, charities, community organisations and local leaders to help shape that vision.

“We Want the Community to Have a Voice”

Announcing the plans, a representative of Calming the Storm said:

“The Vale of Belvoir is going through a phased transformation. Our vision is to bring this remarkable property back to life and ensure that its next chapter delivers real and lasting benefit to the local community.”

The organisation added:

“We don't want to decide everything behind closed doors. We want local people, charities and community leaders to have a voice in what happens here. We want to hear what people would like to see at The Vale and how they believe this property can best serve the community.”

The message is significant for residents who have watched the former Scalford Hall remain largely unused.

While the transformation will take time, the estate is no longer being treated as an abandoned property.

Activity is returning to the site and its reopening will take place gradually as different areas are made ready for their intended uses.

First Phase: Supporting Care Workers and NHS Staff

One of the first social-impact uses for The Vale forms part of Calming the Storm's new free and discounted accommodation initiative for people working in health and social care.

The wider scheme works with property owners and organisations to make suitable underused accommodation available to eligible care workers and NHS staff for free or at significantly reduced costs.

The Vale is expected to support this initiative during its phased transformation.

For Calming the Storm, this provides an immediate social purpose for parts of the property while the wider redevelopment progresses.

Rather than allowing suitable accommodation to remain empty during the transformation, available areas can potentially support people who spend their working lives caring for others.

[Read more: Care Workers and NHS Staff Offered Free and Discounted Accommodation Under New Community Scheme]

A Future Hotel and Wellbeing Destination

Later phases of the vision include bringing The Vale's hospitality facilities back into fuller use.

Plans include developing a high-quality country hotel and health and wellbeing destination, with a particular social-impact focus on people working in health and social care while also welcoming the wider public.

The estate's extensive grounds and existing hospitality and function facilities provide opportunities for accommodation, wellbeing activities, weddings, conferences, celebrations and other events.

The intention is to create a destination that can be commercially sustainable while maintaining a meaningful community purpose.

Not every element will happen immediately. Some proposed uses will require further development, investment, regulatory approvals and, where applicable, planning permission.

Calming the Storm says the transformation will therefore be deliberately phased rather than attempting to reopen every part of the estate at once.

Training and New Opportunities for Care Workers

Another important part of the longer-term vision is education and skills development.

Plans being explored include establishing vocational education and training at The Vale, with opportunities particularly aimed at people working within health and social care.

The ambition is to support those who want to remain in the sector and develop their skills, while also providing opportunities for people who may want to retrain or progress into different careers.

If delivered, the educational element could add another dimension to The Vale's community role — bringing together employment, skills, wellbeing and hospitality at one location.

These proposals remain part of the site's longer-term phased development and some elements may be subject to relevant approvals.

A Place for the Local Community

Perhaps the most significant part of the announcement is the commitment to make the estate accessible for community activity.

Calming the Storm says it wants The Vale to host activities including charity sales, car boot sales, family events, community BBQs and open days, with opportunities for local charities and good causes to participate and raise funds.

Local organisations will also be encouraged to suggest activities of their own.

The estate could therefore become more than a hotel or events venue.

The vision is for a place where a local charity might hold a fundraiser, families can attend a community event, voluntary organisations can raise awareness of their work, care workers can access support and training, and local businesses and organisations can host events.

Why Bringing The Vale Back Matters

Reopening a substantial property such as the former Scalford Hall has benefits beyond the building itself.

A functioning estate can potentially support local employment, local suppliers, hospitality businesses, charities and community organisations, while bringing visitors and economic activity into the surrounding area.

It also prevents an important local property from simply being allowed to deteriorate through prolonged vacancy.

For nearby communities, however, Calming the Storm believes the social benefit should go further.

Its ambition is to create a model in which commercial activities such as accommodation, events and hospitality can exist alongside programmes delivering direct community benefit.

That could mean providing space for charitable activities, supporting frontline workers, creating training opportunities and opening parts of the estate for community events.

Local People Asked: What Would You Like to See at The Vale?

Rather than presenting the plans as a finished blueprint, Calming the Storm is asking local people to contribute ideas during the transformation.

Residents are being invited to suggest activities, facilities and community uses they believe would make a meaningful difference locally.

The organisation is particularly interested in hearing from community leaders, charities, voluntary groups, local businesses, residents and organisations working with vulnerable or disadvantaged people.

Ideas could range from community events and educational activities to wellbeing programmes, charity initiatives and other creative uses of the estate.

Suggestions will help inform the community element of The Vale's future plans.

First Community Event Planned for Saturday 12 September

The next visible step in the reopening will come on Saturday, 12 September 2026, when The Vale plans to hold an initial charity and community open event.

The event will provide an early opportunity for local people to visit the estate as its transformation begins.

Because refurbishment and preparation work is continuing, some sections of the property will remain closed or cordoned off for safety and operational reasons.

Visitors will nevertheless have an opportunity to see the return of activity to the estate and learn more about the developing vision.

A community suggestion box will also be available, giving visitors an opportunity to submit ideas about what they would like to see at The Vale in the future.

Local charities and community organisations interested in taking part in forthcoming charity sales, fundraising activities, family events or other community initiatives are also being encouraged to make contact.

From an Empty Building to a Community Asset

The transformation will not happen overnight.

Restoring and repurposing a substantial estate requires investment, planning and careful implementation. Some areas will open earlier than others, and some of the longer-term proposals remain subject to planning and other necessary approvals.

But the immediate change is already important:

The former Scalford Hall is no longer simply an empty and abandoned building.

The Vale of Belvoir is beginning a new chapter.

And if the vision succeeds, its future will not only be determined by what happens inside the hotel. It will also be measured by what the estate contributes to the people, organisations and communities around it.

As Calming the Storm puts it, the objective is straightforward:

“We want to bring The Vale back to life, but we also want its return to mean something to the community. This is the beginning of that journey.”

Have Your Say

Local residents, charities, community leaders and organisations are invited to submit ideas for the future of The Vale of Belvoir.

Community enquiries, suggestions, events and charity participation: thevale@calmingthestorm.org.uk

The Vale of BelvoirFormerly Scalford HallScalford, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

The transformation of The Vale is being undertaken in phases. Proposed future uses may be subject to planning permission, regulatory requirements, investment, safety assessments and other necessary approvals. Individual areas of the estate may remain closed while works are undertaken.