£2m heritage bid is ‘on track’
REGENERATION chiefs have hit back over criticism of Bacup’s £2m Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) project, insisting it remains on track and presents “a superb opportunity” for the town.
Concerns have been raised over delays to the five-year Heritage Lottery-funded scheme, which is seeing historic buildings in Bacup refurbished over three phases.
The ongoing restoration works have seen the Pioneer Building Clock Tower restored, but other works have been held up.
Greensclough ward councillor Peter Steen said the scheme has “just dragged on and on” and people need answers.
He said: “I’ve heard complaints about shoddy workmanship - incorrectly fitted windows and leaking window frames. The project has had a lot of public money spent on it and needs a lot more thought. Residents have been left in the dark and councillors just left hanging. We feel very disappointed. It’s a five-year project but people still need to know what’s going on.”
Trader Gary Haworth, who owns Wishes Galore, said: “The work started last October and wasn’t supposed to take 12 months. I’ve definitely lost business because of it.
“Up until a few weeks ago there’d been no signage at all on my shop for nine months and my windows were leaking.
“People are fed up with it now and just want it finished. If I owned the building I would have had the work stopped halfway through.”
Richard Yates, from Nellie’s Cafe, said work on their business took six months longer than expected, adding: “I can’t fault the sign, it’s just the time it took.”
Barnfield Construction had carried out the first phase of works, but in May it was announced that they will now focus instead on the redevelopment of Rawtenstall town centre and now a new contractor is being sought.
However, in a Q&A with the Free Press, Rossendale council insisted that the overall timetable for the project had not slipped.
A spokesperson said: “It is entirely normal with any construction project, and more prevalent with heritage restoration projects of this nature, that snagging and defects will be identified.
“We will be working closely with contractors to ensure that they are resolved as soon as it is practical to do so, while minimising disruption to tenants.
“Only a small percentage contribution of the many thousands in costs of the significant improvement works being undertaken on these premises are paid for by the building owners.
“This project is a superb opportunity, despite the short term disruption it causes, to be able to make a significant investment in the quality and the appearance of Bacup Town Centre.”
The next phase of the project will be the renovation of shops on St James Street and the former electricity showrooms at St James Square.