in 1909 of the estate were compulsorily purchased by leeds corporation at knostrop to build a sewage plant and coal mining commenced at the edge of the park. during the first world war (1914-17) the south wing of the house was turned into a hospital by dorothy and edward wood. edward wood served during this time in france as part of the yorkshire hussar. whilst dorothy wood oversaw the running of the hospital as part of the mayors war committee in 1922 edward wood sold the park and house to leeds corporation for a nominal sum, placing covenants over them to ensure their preservation for the future.