Victorian police station attains listed status
Historic former nick will have its architectural features preserved following society’s campaign
DARLASTON’S striking former police station, built more than a hundred years ago at the very end of the ninteenth century, has been given Grade II Listed status in a move to protect it for future generations.
It comes after successful moves from the Victorian Society, who recognised the building’s merits.
The Victorian Society is the only charity dedicated to campaigning to protect our cherished Victorian and Edwardian architectural and built environment, between 1837 and 1914.
In doing so it helps tackle the climate emergency by lobbying for the sensitive reuse of historic buildings
Its substantial entrance is in the style of London’s New Scotland Yard
to generate much lower carbon emissions than demolition and rebuild. The society functions through seven regional bodies, with the Black Country dovetailing into the Birmingham and West Midlands Group. A recent example of the society’s success locally, is the industry of caseworker Tim Bridges, whose application to Historic England resulted in the Grade II listing of the former police station building, complete with its attached railings. Darlaston developed rapidly during the 19th century due to the boom in its mining and metal industries. A municipal centre developed in the late 1800s which featured a new town hall, fire station and purpose-built police station. The new police station was built between 1899 and 1902 in Crescent Road and replaced an earlier station based in a local house.
It was designed by local architect Charles William Davies Joynson (1862-1943), who designed several chapels and schools and other notable buildings in Wednesbury, where he was mayor from 1898-1900.
The central section of the police station building is flanked by two pedimented wings which feature terracotta blocks, and windows with moulded terracotta surrounds to the gable ends.
There is a substantial entrance in the right wing, in the style of Norman Shaw’s New Scotland Yard in London, with blocked half-columns and a segmental pediment featuring the words ‘POLICE STATION’ in moulded lettering.
If Bugle readers are aware of Black Country buildings built between 1837-1914 that could be a potential nominee for preservation, please notify David Cooper david@ davidcooperpr.com