Application to demolish public house in Shipley:

https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PB3E4RDHGAS00

A formidable white cube of a building from 1840, as the name suggests, there is a lot of social history tied up in this institution.

The Odd Fellows reflected those individuals outside of guilded institutions, yet wished to fraternise with like minded folk. Rather like the Masons, the Odd Fellows order built a network of meeting halls like this. In Yorkshire they are another reflection of Victorian will for civic participation and social capital.

Now, it reflects the death of pub culture, and I am saddened to include this building on this list, having such an intriguing and benevolent provenance.

Very interesting  building cluster in Batley to be knocked down:

https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/planning-applications/search-for-planning-applications/detail.aspx?id=2018/91475

I am always interested in Victorian buildings that turn corners. We don’t seem to do that anymore. A tight radius, and a front wall abutting the pavement would be at odds with junctions visual splays these days. This is why we love heritage – much of the built form of yore would not be acceptable any more, and that makes it invaluable.

Its another pub lost forever, and a particularly unique one at that, being a composite of a number of small buildings.

It looks in good condition and there is no extensive car car to develop so I’m not sure why the owner wants to pull it down. So as always another public building is removed from a small struggling town, leaving the surrounding urban area a suburban space, with amenities a short car journey away.

I would love to have a pint in this pub. And it looks like I never will.