Tiptree - demolition of Grade II listed building

[Stephen]

I have just heard that an application went in to Colchester DC on the 12th Nov for demolition of Brook House, Tiptree, Essex. If you want to see the details take a look at the following link:
http://www.planning.colchester.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do;jsessionid=2ECE45F905607ADFE099F6CA1C192943?action=show&appType=Planning&appNumber=091436

If that does not work try looking up the following on the Colchester website.

Application Type: Demolition of a Listed Buildin
Application No: 091436
Contact Tel No: 01206 282424
Contact Email planning.services@colchester.gov.uk
Development: Demolition of Grade II Listed Building
Site Address: Brook House 84 Maldon Road, Tiptree, Colchester, CO5 0BW

My assistant lives in Tiptree and went to the Parish Council meeting last night. It appears the applicants own land in the area that they are gradually developing and we believe may own a salvage company! The claim that EH recommended demolition (on the application form) is not supported by any documentation and is believed to be untrue.

The building does appear to be in a state and needs a lot of work, but it does not appear to be beyond repair. The engineer's report with the application is inconsistent (starting by stating that listed buildings should be kept and ending by advising demolition of the whole thing).

The property has been on the Buildings at Risk register for years and yet Colchester have done nothing about it.

The application is for demolition only with no other application for any development on site. It is thought the applicants want to develop several houses on the land.

If you feel strongly about this please contact the Colchester District Council and submit your views.

Stephen

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Here it is on the ?slightly out of date? (2006) Buildings at Risk register:

 

[Jon Maine]

That's scandalous, they have ignored the defects and due to problems of their making they want to knock it down? :roll:

It looks eminently possible to save that to me.

Gareth, was the picture in the Robert Powell Halloween story this house?

 

[judrop]

:x Message duly sent ! SHAME on them, in my experience " not known" means" refuse to tell you "!!Good luck with this Ju

 

[DaveBrigg]

A quick search produces the following about the applicant, which may, of course, have no relevance to the case.

J Purdy and Sons are a Tiptree builders merchants, specialising in reclaimed materials. They currently have over 3 million roof tiles in stock of every colour and design. One of the sons had a drink-driving conviction this time last year, but had the usual 12 month ban reduced to 7 months because he was using his Mercedes SL500 with personalised plates to take his injured girlfriend to hospital. He had letters of support from his dad, and "Cllr John Archer, of Maldon District Council, wrote saying the former Plume School pupil "did not normally drink" because he was a keen athlete."

As well as selling old properties by the crate, the applicant is a property developer. There were three planning applications in North Maldon in May 2007 alone, each involving demolition, and the building in total of six flats and a retail unit, with parking. However, of the 14 applications to Maldon District council, half were refused or rejected.

Obviously the planning dept have guidelines to follow, and so the fact that the applicant probably has most of the materials needed to repair the house already stacked up in the yard, and does not seem short of a bob or two, cannot be taken into consideration. It does suggest that an enforcement notice may have a better than average chance of having a positive effect though.

There is a local news report here http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4755013.Facing_demolition__The_Grade_II_listed_building/ which recycles some of the info on the application.

 

[judrop]

Hi have posted the above on Twitter, you never know who might see it on there ! Does anyone have contact with H R H Prince Charles or one of his minions, I did but my friends are now out of favour !! :wink:

 

[Stephen]

Apparently SAVE and others are onto the case. I have Emailed the EH office as well as contacts at SPAB.

As of today the Parish council have recommended refusal.

It seems most likely that the result will be refusal, but I believe the local concern is that one evening a stray JCB may accidentally run into it and knock it down!!

From EH's perspective the press report of t6hem having suggested demolition does them no favours and I would hope that this is sorted out and rectified otherwise others may wrongly get the impression that EH supports demolition of listed buildoings in poor condition.

Stephen

 

[DaveBrigg]

News update here http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/colchester/4759575.Council_rejects_bid_to_demolish_Georgian_Tiptree_home/

One argument for the demolition was 'because it is “unfit to live in”, according to its owner.' By that criteria, quite a few of us could suddenly find ourselves homeless too. :lol: No evidence was produced to support the claim that English Heritage told them to demolish it.

 

[DaveBrigg]

GOOD NEWS
I had a letter today from Colchester council stating that the application to demolish had been withdrawn. Lets hope that something is now done to stop its deterioration.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Great news

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Very good news indeed.

 

[another_richard]

And the next step from the owners when planning permission is not granted:

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/n...5677634.jp?CommentPage=3&CommentPageLength=10