Living the high life
PLANS for a modern, three-storey home have been submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council - but there’s a catch.
The new home would be built on top of Ormskirk Water Tower, a derelict Grade ll listed building that has been standing on Tower Hill for more than 160 years.
Plans to convert the building have been submitted by Neil Dawson, of Snook Architects, who intends to keep the tower in its present state with little to no interference with the original structure.
The planning application seeks to leave the intact and simply construct a new two-storey box on top, much like the metal water tank that sat on the tower until the late 1980s.
Many applications have been submitted in the past to convert the water tower into flats or individual homes, but none of these have passed the planning stage.
One proposal, in 2007, was thrown out seven times by council planners.
A statement submitted by Mr Dawson said: “We have concluded that the only viable proposal for the tower, to safeguard its future, is a single dwelling sat on top of the tower that seeks to recreate the previously lost metal water tank.
“We feel the attached scheme is the only one which truly respects the listed nature of the tower as it is the only one in which all elements of the tower [including the spiral stair] are retained and used.”
In a heritage statement submitted by Mr Dawson it is stated that the scheme seeks to respect the tower and its historic Grade II listed status by leaving the tower intact.
The statement said: “It is this new extension that will secure the tower’s future by protecting it from the elements and structurally securing the [currently collapsing] upper walls.
“The new scheme seeks simply to create a modern reinterpretation of the water tank upon the roof.
“In spirit, the new rooftop extension will be entirely the same as the previous in that it is utilitarian in nature and furthers the industrial intent and language of the original structure.
“In architectural language however there is a clear separation of elements as we feel it is better to separate the new from the old rather than blur the lines in a futile attempt to mimic the past.”
The deadline for neighbours and other interested parties to respond to the plans is January 6 when a decision will be made by the West Lancashire Borough Council planning committee.