13th February 2014, 01:46 PM
Yeah, this seems a common tactic of property developers of problematic listed buildings/ scheduled sites. A fire or collapse/subsidence can be a handy way of removing the need to preserve anything.
I remember as a child local outrage when the front of a historic building that was to be preserved as part of the conditions on it being developed fell down.
It wasn't surprising as the developer had removed the rest of the building leaving the three story front barely supported.
They got away with rebuilding the front to look similar......though replacing the walls/window surrounds with modern brick meant any hint of the former hall is now gone.
It isn't a surprise then the number of 'listed' buildings that are bought, left empty and not maintained in the hope that a tree grows up through the middle/wall, the roof or a wall falls in, or a handy scally or hired thug sets fire to it. Just watch how quickly development on the site starts!
Or am I being too cynical.
Is this a case of 'we did nothing wrong' its not our fault it fell down.
I know there are rules dictating what you can't do to a listed building. Are there rules dictating that the owner must maintain it?
I remember as a child local outrage when the front of a historic building that was to be preserved as part of the conditions on it being developed fell down.
It wasn't surprising as the developer had removed the rest of the building leaving the three story front barely supported.
They got away with rebuilding the front to look similar......though replacing the walls/window surrounds with modern brick meant any hint of the former hall is now gone.
It isn't a surprise then the number of 'listed' buildings that are bought, left empty and not maintained in the hope that a tree grows up through the middle/wall, the roof or a wall falls in, or a handy scally or hired thug sets fire to it. Just watch how quickly development on the site starts!
Or am I being too cynical.
Is this a case of 'we did nothing wrong' its not our fault it fell down.
I know there are rules dictating what you can't do to a listed building. Are there rules dictating that the owner must maintain it?