Bradford again, again
Bradford development control have some difficult decisions to make over the next few weeks. More and more threats to heritage poor in.
A unique property in Ilkley is to be demolished to make way for a conceptual arc. The concentration of pitched roofs and the piecemeal growth of the building shall be missed.
The architecture proposed is in my opinion very exciting and deserves a place somewhere in the British landscape, but why must we lose the original building as well?
The planning statement derides the design quality of the existing building, suggesting that the new build would be more congruous with the surrounds. Lets call a spade a space; the new building would be anathema to the local vernacular. Planning statements are increasingly hot air spoken on behalf of the highest bidder.
Demolition of Rosemount in Bradford
Another application to destroy an impressive Victorian urban manor. Bradford has a reputation for a city that has been cavalier with its Victorian building stock and this is no exception. Rosemount is the last remaining vestige of Victorian architecture in the Apsley Crescent conservation area.
Not the best photo, but all google street view would allow.
Indigo planning have put together a very dubious heritage statement. Im sure if the cash was there they would explain how Notre Dam needs to be bbulldozedfor affordable housing.
They state that ‘the quality residential cul-de-sac is sympathetic’ – cul-de-sacs did not exist in victorian times and therefore can not be congruous to the conservation area.
They also suggest that ‘The recent residential development reduces the buildings contribution to the character of the conservation area’ – then surely your development will further diminish this quality?
The design of the new buildings preserves the Conservation Area – I believe they call this an oxymoron. NO part of the building or the street plan is retained, how then is this preserving anything at all??
Finally, the heritage statement is adamant that the building is beyond repair, yet how can we take the word of a consultant on the books of the client. Heritage assets need to be properly inspected by a third party before they are condemned as unsafe and not viable.
Terraced house demolition, Bradford
Another example of a terraced property set for demolition is 189 Carlisle Road, Bradford.
There is never any recourse to heritage consideration in a deprived area such as this, bus still, I can’t understand how the complexity of demolishing a terraced house can outweigh the returns. Surely a relinquishment would make more sense. This would also avoid th destruction of the Victorian Street front. Insignificant maybe, but bit by bit we will lose it all.
Demolition of a 19th Century stately home for a car park
I’ve had a bit of a break from blogging as I’ve been so busy with a new job (in a planning consultancy – behind the iron curtain so to speak).
So many interesting and needless applications in Yorkshire have been made over the last few weeks, with a wide tranche of demolitions planned, and most likely approved before the end of the year.
I can’t quite believe that the following has gone unnoticed by the Huddersfield press;
Application to demolish Dalton Grange House
The picture says it all. I do not need to explain why this is outrageous;
Syngenta, the applicant, is a major employer in Hddersfield, which I’m sure will result in the council subserviently complying to all demands set out on the table. The applicant even has the gall to acknowledge that the land will be used as a car park to serve the nearby stadium. Thats right, a stately home from the 19th century is to be demolished to extend a car park.
Needless to say the Victorian Society share my concern/apoplexy and are helping with the listing process.
This case also highlights that awful clause in planning law – you do not need planning permission to demolish if you do not intend to build on the land. Permission is only required for the demolition process itself. If a building is not listed or within a conservation area (which somehow Dalton Grange isn’t) then it is yours to level as you wish.
Hopefully the bats will save the day, as concerns abut loss of habitat have been raised.
For a building that was functioning as an events venue until very recently, this would be a preventable loss of a building that means so much to so many.
Interesting cottage in Illingworth
To appreciate the poor urbanism of the past 100 years, as a result of the housing production line, and car based lifestyle, Illingworth village to the north of Halifax is the place to go. Endless cul-de-sacs atop a windswept moor demonstrate that the concept of a ‘housing crisis’ has always been fed to us, and will never go away. This will always be the recourse of developers.
A final remnant of old Illingworth is to go soon:
Would be awkward to restore to residential use, but old buildings always are. It is what makes them appealing. The converse is the boring monotony of housing estates.
Hidden farmhouse with potential in Keighley
An application to Demolish a workshop and a “house” has been submitted this week to Bradford. It turns out that the said house is a well hidden historic farmhouse. It is in disrepair, but I would advise the applicant that more value can be added to this site by retaining the building and augmenting the site with vernacular new builds.
Worthville Farm near Dawson Road in Keighley is a hidden gem amongst 20th century suburban sprawl.
The plans suggest that the footprint of the old farm building would be within the gardens of the proposed 8 dwellings.
Why not keep the farm house and build around it?
If anyone has any other info regarding this building, please get in touch
Interesting houses, replaced with generic polyhedrons
A couple of houses in West Yorkshire have been submitted for demolition:
This piece of unique form on Town Gate, Mirfield:
Town Gate suggests something of a historic thoroughfare in Mirfield. The town is almost bereft of its heritage these days. Sad to see such buildings go.
This building in Castleford has me perplexed. I’ve never seen anything like it. Any ideas as to the date or style please let me know. Its certainly not Victorian heritage but worthy of retaining
:
Farmhouse in Norland, Calderdale
Quite surprised to see two applications in the Ryburn Valley of West Halifax that entail demolishing robust farm buildings:
You can see that losing this building (bottom right) will damage the streetscape in this hamlet.
More of the same
Three applications to demolish historic buildings in West Yorkshire this week.
Horsforth:
Interesting Victorian quasi-manor house, possibly relating to the railway that passes nearby. The location of this building is very strange, and even stranger, the use of the place as an Italian restaurant. Shame that it will be lost.
Rastrick:
Middle building is to go. Not an especially important building, but theres no need to knock it down really.
Weatherby:
Quaint corner building in this historic market town to make way for a shop.
Also, although not my patch, Mapplewell in Barnsley will be losing this gem of a public house:
This weeks demolitions
January is here, and with it as a new year of demolition. Warehouses, factories, pubs, cottages, churches – none are safe. We have a housing crisis. We have an environmental crisis. So we knock down robust esoteric buildings. Things are not adding up.
Two entries in the west Yorkshire demolition list from this week, both in Kirklees:
Application to demolish (most of) the Rose and Crown pub in Almonbury:
http://www2.kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning/application_search/detail.aspx?id=2014%2f90001
The new portion of the building is to be retained, whilst the older left hand mass will be lost. I understand a developer wanting to utilise the huge car park on this site, but surely it is self evident that value will be added to his property if the character of the victorian pub is fully retained. Page one of the manual.
And I’ve not even touched upon the travesty offlattening an old pub. It is literally one every month in West Yorkshire. Disgraceful.
Secondly, and old cottage off Drub lane in Cleckheaton is to be felled.
http://www2.kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning/application_search/detail.aspx?id=2013/94064
A very dainty building that adds a great deal to the building cluster next to the social club. It may seem insignificant, but bit by bit we are losing our historic fabric.
The Demolition Register 