Buildings Sub Committee Report - February 2011 
Notes on some of the cases being looked at by the Buildings Sub-Committee of the Leicester Group
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2010
Members of the Building Sub-Committee:
Jon Goodall, John Aston, Peter Ellis, Gwyn Jones, Christine Jordan, Janet Lawrence, Richard Lawrence, Grahame Lees, Rowan Roenisch, Mike Taylor, Jenny Westmorland.
During the year the Sub-Committee has unfortunately been affected by the ill-health of some members. Jenny Westmorland felt obliged to resign from the Sub-Committee and John Aston has been unwell for some time (at the time of writing being in the General Hospital). We wish them both well. Janet Lawrence also suffered a period of ill-health in the year, but is now fighting fit and we thank her and Richard for their hosting of Sub-Committee meetings.
Overall View of the Year
The economic climate has continued to discourage new developments and indeed certain developers have ceased trading. There continues to be a surplus of office space and city centre apartments. About the only continuing growth area seems to be the provision of student accommodation and one wonders how long this will continue.
A major decision which may influence the office accommodation market relates to the City Council’s own main building. This requires major repair work and a decision will presumably be made in 2011 as to whether such repairs will be undertaken (requiring temporary offices to be available) or a complete rebuilding or relocation.
The downside of any stalling in new developments remains the reluctance of developers or owners to spend money on the maintenance of listed buildings or those in conservation areas. A striking example in the heart of the city is the former Eastgates Coffee House (Edward Burgess 1885) where there is now a large area of what appears to be rotting wood on the Eastgates frontage.
Significant Areas of Activity or Concern
1 The former ‘bowstring’ bridge in Western Boulevard was, as noted in last year’s review, finally demolished in late 2009 (together with the Pump and Tap public house). De Montfort University has still to come up with definitive plans for the new sports centre on the site. However the adjoining viaducts are being demolished so perhaps something may occur in 2011 (finances permitting).
2. Churches: St Saviours (George Gilbert Scott 1875-7) (shown above and right) is our main concern. It has remained closed for regular worship for a few years and in January 2010 a meeting of interested parties, (including ourselves) was held with the Church Commissioners to discuss the way forward. Since then nothing has been heard -and, regrettably, there has been some vandalism.
In the same parish the splendid church of St Barnabas (Goddard and Paget 1884-6) has also now closed for regular worship and we await developments. At least with it being adjacent to a thriving primary school there should be reasonable security. Neither of these churches has been deconsecrated so they are still subject to the Church of England ecclesiastical exemption relating to planning procedures.
3. Silver Arcade (Amos Hall 1899) The premises on the upper floors have now been closed for some years. In August the owners announced in the Leicester Mercury that they were due to start refurbishment in the very near future. At the time of writing there is little sign of such work.
4. Thomas Cook Hotel, Granby Street. There has been no change in the situation regarding this building, although the. shop occupying the ground floor is now vacant. Although the developer owning the premises has now gone out of business, planning permission for redevelopment was renewed (despite a significant number of objections) by the administrators.
5. Miscellaneous Banks: The three large vacant banks in the city centre (Natwest St Martins, Barclays Horsefair Street and HSBC Granby Street/Bishop Street (above)) exhibit little signs of activity.
6 Wheatsheaf Boot and Shoe Works, Knighton Fields Road East: The new owners of this massive former Co-op factory have put forward some imaginative plans for its re-development - mainly for housing. The theatre on site would not be affected. However we understand that the police have expressed some disquiet over the resultant street layout.
Other Activities
Throughout the year Jon Goodall has been the Society’s representative on the City Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel. Again, reflecting the slowdown in activity, not all of the monthly meetings have taken place due to a lack of agenda items. It is worth mentioning here that a new Conservation Officer (Jenny Timothy) has been appointed at the City Council and we look forward to maintaining a good relationship with her and her colleagues.
Looking to the future one would expect the economic climate to improve and with it an upsurge in development, so may I again repeat that more volunteers are always welcome.
Jon Goodall – February 2011
