Buildings Sub Committee Report June 2009

Since the Annual General Meeting, as you may be aware, Rowan Roenisch has relinquished her post as Chair of the Building Sub-Committee after many years of invaluable service.  Her enthusiasm and knowledge is unrivalled so we are pleased that she has agreed to remain on the Committee, albeit in a much more low key role.  As indicated at the AGM her duties have been subdivided amongst other member of the Building Sub-Committee, with the main contact being Jon Goodall on Leicester 2393744.

As a general comment our conservation concerns have tended to benefit from the current economic downturn as developers have significantly reduced their activities and aspirations.  One has only to note the numbers of vacant office blocks and city centre flats to appreciate this.  Obviously, however, this situation will not last forever and additionally we now have the danger of buildings suffering from cutbacks in maintenance.  So please continue to keep us informed of threats to our built environment.

Brief notes on developments affecting buildings and structures of interest

1 Former Thomas Cook Hotel, Granby Street

This is a prime example of a development being affected by the economic downturn.  Since the withdrawal, late last year, of an application to clear the whole site very little has happened and the shop occupying the site continues to trade.  Indeed the developer had indicated that they might be willing to enter into discussions for the sale of the former hotel.

2 ‘Bowstring’ Bridge – Western Boulevard/Braunstone Gate

Much of the debate about this still impressive structure has concerned its current condition and the precise cost of any possible repairs.  It is obviously not in any imminent danger of collapse, otherwise the road beneath would have been closed.  Earlier this year the Leicestershire Industrial History Society obtained a quote from a firm of Civil Engineering consultants to carry out an up to date assessment of the bridge’s condition at the cost of £4000 plus VAT.  This offer was made known to the City Council with the suggestion that if they took it up and the report bore out their claims then the conservation societies would withdraw their objections to the demolition.  However, the City Council declined to take this up.

3 Former Registry Office, Pocklingtons Walk (Redfern and Sawday 1883)

This was originally the Poor Law Offices and has been out of use for a few years.  The City Council now plans to convert this into serviced offices.  Not only the exterior will be preserved but the interior will be improved by the removal of suspended ceilings and interior partitioning.

4 Spinney Hill Park Conservation Area (designated 1982)

The Council undertakes periodic reviews of all Conservation Areas, which generally propose only minor amendments.  This is not so in this case.  Not only is it suggested that certain streets be completely removed from the Conservation Area but that certain protective planning constraints (Article 4 Directions) be removed from one of the main roads.  These constraints mainly concern changes to original windows, doors and roofs but also, for example, to the presence of satellite dishes on house fronts.  The purpose of this is obviously to try and retain the original look of an area.  However there has been little or no enforcement of these planning constraints along East Park Road and so the Council now wishes in effect to condone this by removing the Article 4 Directions.  Not surprisingly we have objected to this.

5 Former Barclays Bank, Horsefair Street

Yet another of the banks in this area has now relocated and we understand that plans are to be submitted for conversion into retail units.

6 Silver Arcade (Amos Hall 1899)

Hot off the press are the latest proposals for this architectural gem in the heart of Leicester.  At the moment these seem to be for a restaurant on the upper floor with other units on the floors below.

Finally, it is good to observe two examples of renovation/conservation taking place this year.  Firstly you may have observed work being carried out on the tower and steeple of the Empire Banqueting Hall (formerly St Mark’s Church) Belgrave Gate.  Secondly in the city centre, after years of neglect, the former John Meadows Midland Distillery (James Frank Smith 1883) on Humberstone Gate has been externally renovated.  For those unsure of where this building is sited, it is adjacent to the Age Concern building, and for a long time was occupied by Green’s electrical shop.