Wrestling with my conscience....

[Manks]

I will read it of course, but the picture is of a nice terrace of houses. There's terraces and terraces obviously. As I mentioned, for most of their lives the houses of Sneinton in Nottingham (where the one I mentioned is) have been home to some of the poorer in society. Any repairs or refurbs to the properties have been by the cheapest possible method and with no regard for heritage. I would suggest that it would not be possible to make a dent in uplifting the area due to the complex natuure of ownership (I'd guess that 35% is private, 35% is private rented and the rest social housing) as much as the architectural challenges. Relatively, what Urban Splash et al has done up North is easy, from what I know of the situation.

I am in agreement that pre-war terraces are good housing stock. The properties I convert are in square footage about the equivalent of two to three 2-bed starter homes. The post war terraces (at least round here) are OK but not of the same calibre. "Homes for heroes" have become "Homes for heroin adicts" in many areas and the estates they are on have structural issues which perpetuate such problems.


Manks

 

[Nemesis]

Many of those nice terraces have been brought back from the brink though. That's apart from the ones the Government has paid to be demolished under Pathfinder.

http://www.helm.org.uk/server/show/nav.005003006001

And I know people still fighting to save their cherished terraced homes, who would love some sensitive input into their areas rather than continual decline. But that's a whole other set of problems.

http://www.pendle.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=289

Pictures, before, during and after:

http://www.pendle.gov.uk/site/custom_scripts/gallery.php

http://www.elevate-eastlancs.co.uk/main/Library/Press%20releases?DOCID=90&page=1



[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

"Lessons learned from this project about how to make the building more energy efficient, reducing its carbon footprint and the conservation techniques needed to restore the building will be relevant to a lot of residents in the region".

The project will show that specialist heritage skills are essential when repairing a building of this age," said Jo. "All too often, basic repairs are carried out on houses like this that will cause long-term damage, such as pointing using cement which locks moisture into walls, rather than using lime which allows moisture to transfer and stops damp problems occurring.

:?

http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/nelsonnews/Every-Street-house-revamp-will.4009732.jp


http://www.fightforourhomes.com

http://www.savebritainsheritage.org Pathfinder report


Unfortunately, it's not all good news:

http://www.pendle.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=511

The area above was only saved by residents fighting and winning a public inquiry. But I don't hold out much hope this time, as the Pathfinder scheme bulldozes on.


http://www.burnleyexpress.net/peek-into-the-past/Much-is-still-left-to.3382550.jp

 

[Nemesis]

A bit of history:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1749488.stm (picture and report)



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Tuesday, 8 January, 2002, 17:57 GMT
Row over 'historic' houses demolition


Some residents are trying to save the houses

The fate of hundreds of terraced houses in Lancashire is being decided at a public inquiry.
Pendle Borough Council has proposed the compulsory purchase of 400 terrace houses at Whitefield, in Nelson, Lancashire, claiming they are not fit to live in.

Campaigners, backed by English Heritage, claim the houses are of enormous historical and architectural importance.

English Heritage will give evidence at the two-week public inquiry concerning 160 of the terrace homes which began on Tuesday.



Surveys of the housing show a very high level of unfitness and disrepair

Pendle Borough Council statement

Henry Owen-John, English Heritage's assistant regional director, said: "These properties are of considerable historical and architectural significance.

"Ninety per cent of the homes were occupied but since the council put forward its proposals more than a year ago, there is now only 50% occupancy. Many people have sold up and got out.

"We suggest there is an alternative scheme following consultation with the local community which will meet its needs and not destroy the historic character of the area.

"We appointed a firm of independent chartered surveyors who found, from a sample of 25% of the homes, that none of them were unfit to live in and they were capable of being refurbished."

In a statement, Pendle Borough Council dismissed English Heritage's claims as "astonishing" and said the houses in Nelson were not "special and unique".

Repair plan

They said the terraced houses are no different to others built in the late 19th century in northern England.

The council said the decision to clear part of Nelson was taken after consultation with residents.

The statement said: "The council intends to repair, improve or preserve the vast majority of the homes in the Renewal Area.

"Surveys of the housing show a very high level of unfitness and disrepair.

'Astonishing' claim

"It is astonishing that English Heritage is arguing that none of the houses in the clearance area are unfit.

"The area has some of the worst housing in the country." Razza Hussain, secretary of the Whitefield Conservation Action Group, said: "The area is portrayed by the council as a slum.

"It's not - it's our home. It's a nice, quiet area to live with a close-knit community.

"There are alternatives to the council's proposals."

[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[shelli]

you do know that if I get it I'll be replacing the timber windows with PVC casements and leasing the place to Spud-U-Like don't you?

Don't joke - they did that to the oldest building in Kendal - The Woolpack Hotel - tis now a KFC

http://www.visitcumbria.com/kendal/kendal-woolpack.htm

nice eh!!

 

[Nemesis]

But it retained some sort of pastiche of the facade, so that was OK - wasn't it?

Mostly it was demolished. What you now see if nothing much like the original.

Farrer's next?

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.farrers.net/cgi-bin/farrers.pl

 

[shelli]

Mostly it was demolished. What you now see if nothing much like the original.

Farrer's next?

Lets hope not - Love Farrers - go every week for supplies - My great-Nanna tripped and fell over in there about 10 years ago (she's now 94 - so was quite old even then) due to losing footing on ancient stairs up to cafe - the manager was very upset she'd fallen and rushed to help. In her usual glamorous old Lady style she said he was not to worry about it a bit, as she had been "clearly dizzied by the wonderful coffee aroma" - Gawd bless her, what a lady

Farrers & The Chocolate House - both great buildings - mmmm both sell chocolate too - what more could we ask for?!

 

[Nemesis]

Just don't let anyone close Nutshell.

 

[Penners]

My great-Nanna tripped and fell over in there about 10 years ago... In her usual glamorous old Lady style she said he was not to worry about it a bit, as she had been "clearly dizzied by the wonderful coffee aroma" - Gawd bless her, what a lady.

Yes indeed -when the term "lady" really meant something.

Nowadays the person would immediately have been phoning Cla*ms D*rect, on a "no win, no fee" basis. :roll: