MEMBERS of Warrington development management committee are to visit the landmark Garnett’s Tower in the town centre before deciding if a controversial demolition plan can go ahead.
They will view the building from the outside – and would like to go inside.
But for health and safety reasons, they have been told they cannot enter the building.
Committee chairman Cllr Les Hoyle said: “Apparently vandals go in it regularly but we have been told it is in a dangerous condition and we can’t go in.”
PTS Property are seeking permission to demolish the tower – a Locally Listed building – along with the nearby school room associated with the Grade 2 listed Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel.
The chapel itself would be retained, but old works buildings and former council offices would also be demolished to make way for a comprehensive redevelopment of the area to provide a restaurant, shops, café and drinking establishment.
Almost three years ago, a scheme that would have preserved the landmark tower was approved.
But now the applicant says the cost of stabilising the tower would be £125,000-£150,000 and this would not be viable as a long term solution.
One objection has been received to the demolition from a resident who feels it will make the town centre even more “faceless” than it already is.
The tower is influenced by the 14th century Arnolfo tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, in Florence.
Cairo Street Chapel was built in 1745 and is the second oldest place of worship in Warrington town centre. Its interior dates from 1863. It has historical associations with Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, authors Elizabeth Gaskell and Ann Laetitia Barbauld and prison reformer John Howard.
Planners defer tower demolition scheme
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
5 Comments
I’ll not hold my breath! Can someone explain the way in which objections can be made so that they can be dealt with within the appropriate time frame to ensure that this monument remains standing?
Write to Peter Taylor, who is responsible for the Development Management department at WBC, I suppose
My guess is that the time limit for objections etc has passed.
The time limit for objections has passed but as they have not yet made their decision yet you could still write in although it probably wouldn’t form part of the “officers report”. Aswell as writing to Peter Taylor your best bet would be write your objection then email it to each member of the development management committee members so at least they will get to read it in full and may take it into consideration. All their email addresses/contact details are available on the council’s website 🙂
As the time limit for objections has passed what hope have we in a democratic society of getting a change to the recommendations. Why bother to write to Peter Taylor if our comments will not form part of the “officers report”. Once again we have been sold down the river by the officers of WBC who take no notice whatsoever of what residents want and certainly are out of control so far as carrying mout the wishes of the Council is concerned.