Replacing period properties

[lindy]

Grrrr, Im so cross.

My hubby is in the Army and on the garrison he is based they have two huge victorian messes. They are beautiful buildings, full of loads of original features.

However, they are to be demolished and rebuilt . Apparently they knocked one down a few years ago and literally just ripped out all the lovely features and chucked them in a skip. Its a sin. Makes me soooo cross. Surely if you are going to demolish old properties there should be rules and regs to make sure you conserve as much of these feautures as possible, we have regs for everything else!

 

[Gervase]

Sadly it seems that the MoD can get away wth what it likes on its own turf. Think of the training areas in Norfolk and Dorset where entire villages have been taken over and replaced with hideous brick and breeze-block replicas of Eastern European houses.
On the plus side, though, the wilder training grounds have become spectacular nature reserves.

 

[CHRIS]

The MOD cant get away with this on thier own turf as the people who run the property (a civillian contractor) have to follow the rules it will still be up to the conservation officer to come and visit.

I am working on the same situation at the moment but due to the usual fuss send me a PM and will expalin the rules.

Gervase is correct regarding the wildlife sites in Dorset etc - we have some of the best nature reserves in the country on MOD land (they have 6 SSSI) but remember these villages like Imber on Salisbury Plain were near empty when taken over in 1943.

http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/imber/imber.htm

They now have a much better FIBUA (Fighting in built up areas) at Copehill Down

http://www.army.mod.uk/ate/public/salisplain.htm

I know I would rather have the Army next door than BAA.

 

[Nemesis]

Actually unless the buildings are listed (or in a conservation area) the army, as with anyone, can do exactly as it wishes and demolish or rip out the interior of buildings.

SAVE has in the past tried to raise awareness of the issues, had a campaigning exhibition about military architecture in 1993, and in the case of the Peninsula Barracks in Winchester, once due to be bulldozed, drew up an alterantive set of plans which were accpeted and the building converted for residential use.

Unfortunately where historic but unlisted buildings are still in use on army land this sort of re-use isn't likely to happen.

This para:

Peninsula Barracks, in Winchester, is a magnificent turn-of-the-century complex, laid out around a vast parade ground. It stands on the site of the Norman castle and a larger palace built by Sir Christopher Wren for Charles II which was left as a roofed shell on the king's death and later turned into a barracks. When the Greenjackets moved to new accommodation outside the city, Peninsula Barracks was left empty and decaying. Permission was given to demolish the whole of the Lower Barracks, but SAVE Britain's Heritage, working with local architect, Huw Thomas, drew up a scheme for converting all the buildings for residential use and found a developer to buy the site. The scheme will be complete early next year, with a handsome formal garden replacing the tarmac. The 100 houses and flats have sold well.

comes from this speech by HRH The Prince of Wales:

http://tinyurl.com/yuh792

The SAVE publication about this is now out of print unfortunately:

BEAUTY OR THE BULLDOZER
SAVE's proposals for the Peninsula Barracks, Winchester, drawn up by Huw Thomas, which has saved the Victorian Barracks from demolition. The site has now been bought for a housing and public spaces scheme which should become a template for other sites. A follow-up to Deserted Bastions. Published March 1994.

DESERTED BASTIONS: HISTORIC NAVAL AND MILITARY ARCHITECTURE
The companion book to SAVE's exhibition at the RIBA Heinz gallery 29th April-5th June1993. The publication illustrates a great range of important historic military buildings, drawing particular attention to those which are currently at risk through disuse. Published April 1993.


Adam Wilkinson at SAVE is interested in your buildings however - I sent him this post - is it possible to give him a ring?

SAVE 0207 253 3500

 

[Craig]

The MOD produces detailed guidance for its own estate departments about the care and preservation of historic buildngs.

I am told the insides of some prisons are very ancient - but again, we will never know (I hope!).

 

[Craig]

http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/built_estate/thebuiltestate_heritage.php

http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/historic_buildings/historic_buildings/index.htm

Follow the links at the top. They are quite good, actually. However, they are not binding, I suspect...

 

[lindy]

Thanks for all the links and info.

The Garrison they are on is going to become one of the 'super' Garrisons and so the option of selling it off is not there unfortunately.

Nemesis - I am happy to give the chap a call, will try him later, although I will have to remain anonymous to others as the Army aint to keen on interfering wives :lol: !!

 

[Flyfisher]

although I will have to remain anonymous to others as the Army aint to keen on interfering wives :lol: !!

. . . in that case, make sure you dial 141 before making your call.

 

[Nemesis]

I can assure you discretion from the SAVE team will be guaranteed if required!

 

[Penners]

They now have a much better FIBUA (Fighting in built up areas) at Copehill Down.

If the army wants experience of fighting in built-up areas, I can recommend Chelmsford high street on a Saturday night.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Get in there Gal... it can be done. There is an ancient Priory in Bedfordshire that almost suffered the indignity of being 'caged' up by the MOD. ). With some considerable pressure from various political quarters (no pun intended) the building was saved and turned into the Officers Mess. The furnishings, lighting and final finishes were completed by an 'interfering' Officers Wife who thumbed a snook at the MOD's carpet rules-- quality to match the rank- and persuaded the contractors to commission a copy of the original floor coverings for the principle rooms. There was a lot of team work all round, and a very supportive Commandant at the top. But it does all come down to funding and sustainability I'm afraid.