Weiser Heritage Consultancy is pleased to share that we have submitted a listed building application for the demolition of a severely fire damaged listed building. Shock/horror I hear you gasp!
I agree. This is far from the usual project that I am involved with or even prefer to submit. However, this one is unique.
The 16th century thatched and timber framed building is part of a pair of semi-detached homes, which was historically a single dwelling. Whilst much of the original timber frame and historic fabric remained, modern materials and methods were introduced into our half of the building in the 20th century, which impacts its overall significance.
After the fire, the other side wanted to carry out repairs to their half of the building, which is fair enough. However, included in their application for these works was the demolition of a metre (!!) of our half of the building to access the party wall. The owner of our half of the building vehemently opposed the application and proposal as it would impact and damage her house, let alone the special architectural and historic interest of the building. Despite this, the council granted permission for this work. When I visited the property the metre wide gap between the two buildings had already been created. The two buildings were no longer semi-detached. The list description is now wrong.
From my experience as a conservation officer at a local authority, it is typical practice that the council needs to consult Historic England regarding every application proposing partial or full demolition of a listed building, as well as other amenity societies. The council did not undertake this step in the processing of this listed building application.
As a result, the fire damaged listed building permanently lost its association with the adjacent property. The two buildings, once a single dwelling and structurally tied together, were no longer attached.
Our application states that since our half of the building has already been partially demolished, and the rest of it is not capable of being repaired and rebuilt, we are applying for demolition of the remaining parts and are proposing a replacement new build.
What would you do? Would you rebuild a new building detached? Would you seek to build a new structure that is physically attached to the other half? It is an interesting project that challenges my conservation ethos and stance. Now it is up to the local authority to determine. (There is a parallel planning application for the replacement building, which we have designed as a freestanding structure- not attached to the other half)
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