The Neo-Gothic mansion “Ashway Gap House” was originally built by the Platt family as a hunting lodge in the 1850s but it finally fell to disrepair and was demolished in 1981. 

Local business man John Platt (born in Dobcross), was the son of Henry Platt, founder of Platt Brothers textile machinery manufacturers in 1770. The business was hugely successful and by the mid-1850s his company, then based in Werneth, had established itself as the world's largest textile machinery manufacturer. Both John and his younger brother James Platt were MPs for Oldham at the time.

Shortly after the opening of the grouse season in August 1857, the Platt family were enjoying a shooting trip with the Mayor of Oldham near Ashway Gap House when following accidental discharge of a gun James sadly lost his life. Doctors were hurriedly summoned to the house but James had suffered extensive blood loss from his leg and surgeons were unable to save him. A memorial structure named “Ashway Cross” still stands in memory of James Platt on the northern end of Dovestone.

It is believed the Platt family vacated the premises soon after and house was then acquired by the Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Dukinfield Waterworks Joint Committee, until 1914 when it was offered to the Red Cross to be used as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Great War. The mansion accommodated 60 beds and had just over 60 staff comprising of nurses and cooks. 

During the second World War, the mansion housed Italian prisoners of war, but became neglected when the war ended, occasionally hosting meetings by the water board.

A British comedy series “The Last of The Baskets” by Granada was filmed at the mansion in the early 1970s but following that the condition of the building deteriorated and was subject to vandalism. Unfortunately the building was deemed too dangerous and unstable and the decision was made to demolish it.