Terraced row, Sheffield City Centre
A charming terrace in Sheffield to be lost:
Swift and clinical. This was a prior notification so three weeks between submission and decision.
These houses appear to be of a very old South Yorkshire stock brick which mottles grey and red predating the mass movement of building materials on the railways. A perfectly serviceable cluster of terraced houses in the University’s portfolio, this must relate to the substation to the rear where back gardens should be. Bigger vehicles, more access needed.
A beautiful stagger of a building line, the correct amount of asymmetry. Was it designed like that or was it all incidental? Who knows – its a lost art.
The three foot high arch to the right is an enigma. Some urban archaeologist could explain it I’m sure. They were never that short in Sheffield.
The Prospect pub, Bradford
Beautiful stone pub to be demolished in Bradford:
I can’t stress this enough. Just keep the pub. The proposed plans submitted have nothing on the footprint of the former Prospect, so why demolish it? Bradford Council Conservation Officers, this is why you’re there. A non-designated heritage building and an asset of social value, but no justification for its loss. No public benefit. No net gain in dwellings. Step in.
This is an extremely beautiful Victorian building, stemming from an urban tradition that anticipated neighbours, hence the unadorned potential party walls to the sides. This was built in Bradford’s gilded age, when the city had aspirations for an urban culture tantamount to Rome.
The proposal, regardless of the iconoclasm, is a design that says nothing of or to Bradford. The design and access statement goes heavy on the heritage analysis, yet concludes with the gesture of retaining the pelmet, possibly in the garden somewhere.
And the flanks have windows. unlike the pub, they don’t invite neighbours to come and join them in the creation of a high street.
Trams, pubs, industry, houses – an urban street in Bradford, eroded to nothing.
Bramham House, near Leeds
19th century manor to be demolished for housing:
Bramham House, built in 1806 remains unlisted, and has fallen into a state of dilapidation. An application for housing development has been received by Leeds Council, that would involve the demolition of the building with the exception of the ground floor front elevation which would be incorporated into the new housing.
Incredibly sad to see a house of this age fall apart and ultimately become unfeasible for restoration. I hope this wasn’t the preferred strategy of the owner, as there are scores of similarly neglected houses in the UK, and there is a duty of care to look after these historic places.
Nonetheless, the proposed housing is impressive in design terms (although that may just be the eye-catching renders). Residential housing design has to move forward and this feels like the heritage of the future in the making.
Still, I’d rather see the building restored and incorporated into the development.
The Demolition Register 