PLANNING bosses have rejected the controversial proposals to demolish the iconic Garnett’s Tower in Warrington town centre.
The borough council’s development management committee unanimously voted to refuse three applications by John Rowlinson, of PTS Property which would have cleared the way for the demolition of the tower, adjoining works and office buildings and the old school room.
Members also requested officers to make an order requiring the owner to make the buildings safe.
Chairman Cllr Les Hoyle said the committee had been influenced by a letter from English Heritage, which indicated a lack of support for demolition and recommended the application should be withdrawn and urgent action taken to safeguard the buildings until such time as an informed decision could be made.
Members were also surprised that no attempt had been made to obtain a grant towards the cost of retaining the 100-year-old tower, which was built in Italian style.
The committee was told the buildings involved were in a dangerous condition.
Cost of stabilising the tower alone was put at £125,000 to £150,000 which made it unviable.
Opposition to demolition came from Warrington Arts Council, in association with Warrington Civic Society.
Committee member Cllr Geoff Settle said althought he was very concerned about the safety aspects of the site, he was not convinced by the applications arguments to remove yet another piece of Warrington’s history.
He said: “They had no proposals for the use of the site other than another car park. There was no imaginative plan that would incorporate the tower perhaps as a centrepiece and maybe help revive the historic centre of the town.”
Planners block tower demolition
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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.
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Great news and at last some interest has been shown in Warrington’s heratige and assets. Bit concerned about the bit that says it should be ‘safeguarded UNTIL such time as an informed decision could be made’ though. Here’s hoping the tower and the old school room are now incorporated into any future development plans that may be submitted 🙂
Absolutely fabulous news. Sorry I’ve been away and am not up to speed with recent developments. At long last some interest has been shown in saving some of Warrington’s heritage. It’s too easy just to knock things down as they have been in the past. I share the unease that in the future an “infomed” decision may alter this decision. I sincerely hope not and hope that the Tower and schoolroom are here to stay. Perhaps the new regime at the Town Hall since 5th May could confirm their view.