Heritage experts fail in bid to save 1930s house
LOCALLY LISTED BUILDING TO MAKE WAY FOR CARE HOMES
A LOCALLY listed building from the 1930s will face the wrecking ball after the views of heritage experts did not outweigh the benefit of having new extra care homes on a Derby site.
Bramble House was part of the former Kingsway Hospital site and was used to house nurses. It was included in Derby City’s 2009 Local List, meaning it was of “considerable merit”.
A number of heritage experts, including Derby City Council’s conservation officer, expressed concern about its potential loss after the application for an 80-bed care home and retirement apartments was submitted.
Members of Derby City Council’s planning control committee voted seven votes to three in favour of the application being granted, which will mean the building will be demolished.
Councillor Lucy Care spoke out against the application and said she had concerns that so many heritage experts’ opinions were being ignored.
She said: “I am also concerned about the drainage of the site, the potential loss of trees, access and also the loss of potential business use of the land, which part of it had been earmarked for.”
Her view was also shared by Councillor Mike Carr, who said: “I object to the demolition of a locallylisted building and do not feel enough has been done to explore the retention of the building in the plan.”
Councillor Joanna West also felt that being locally-listed should have given Bramble House some protection and added that in this case “the harm outweighs the benefits”.
But they were the only three to vote against the proposal and Councillor Ross McCristal said:
“It’s a real shame to lose Bramble House but we have to make a decision and if we reject this plan then we will be back in a couple of years when the building is beyond repair anyway.”
The planning application from Leeds-based developers Torsion Care, also includes the demolition of a second nonlisted building called Braemar House.
A council officer report seen by the committee said that the application is supported by detailed building inspection reports, which conclude that Bramble House is in a poor physical condition and a substantial refurbishment would be needed to bring it back into a good standard fit for occupation.
Details of refurbishment for occupation estimates are approximately £2 million for Bramble House and £165,000 for Braemar House.
The reports conclude that the refurbishment cost of the buildings alone produces a significant constraint on the potential for reuse and viability of any proposal to reuse. Councillor Paul Pegg said: “We are desperate for extra care homes in the city and we need to get on with it.”
This was echoed by Councillor Steven Hassall who added: “I agree the city needs this facility. Bramble House has been in a state of disrepair for years and the benefits of demolishing it outweighs the harm.”
It is not known when building work on the site will commence.
I do not feel enough has been done to explore the retention of the building in the plan.
Councillor mike Carr