Millionaire lottery winner reveals incredible plans for stunning Fylde coast mansion

Plans have been submitted by a multi-millionaire lottery winner and Britain’s former ‘most eligible bachelor’ to transform a Fylde coast mansion into a residential centre for disabled children.

Plans to change Hoole House & Lodge in Elswick from a residential property into a residential school for disabled children were submitted by Karl Crompton, the Blackpool-born man who won a staggering £10.9 million on the National Lottery in 1996.

The proposal would see the existing home and outbuildings, their surrounding grounds and an adjacent field converted for use by the school, which would provide both education and care for children with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health needs.

Up to 13 children could be accommodated overnight in a mix of single and en-suite bedrooms, with an additional three rooms being made available for on-call staff. In addition to the bedrooms, the application details three living rooms, three dining areas, two classrooms, two kitchens, one staff office, one first aid room and a therapy room, as well as the existing indoor pool.

Crompton, now aged 53, was dubbed ‘Britain’s most eligible bachelor’ by newspapers in the ‘90s thanks to his new-found fortune. Hoole House was built by Crompton himself in 1999 for an estimated £1.5 million after he acquired land on the former Elswick Youth Probation Centre site for £500,000 in 1996.

The 6,500 sq ft, five-bedroom property now features a lake, a cinema room, a home gym and indoor swimming pool, as well as extensive grounds and gardens. Hoole House was put on the market by Crompton in 2023 with a hefty £3.95 million price tag, but struggled to sell, with the asking price dropping down to £2.5 million in early 2026.

Estate agents Lune Valley Estates confirmed to The Gazette that the property was recently sold subject to contract, but could not comment on details surrounding Crompton’s decision to submit the change of use plans and ownership of the site. The Gazette has attempted to approach Mr Crompton, who grew up in Thornton, for comment.

According to the planning statement, the proposed youth facility would “aim to provide education and care for children with physical and learning disabilities utilising the main house and its grounds in particular to provide a welcoming and high-quality facility.

“The school would service those with a variety of additional needs, including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental health needs,” the planning statement added.

The proposal will now move onto the next stage of planning, with a decision expected by Fylde Council later this year.