[10
AUG 99] SAVE STANLEY TERRACE GROUP PRESS RELEASE
Stanley Terrace - Council Told To Come CleanCampaigners fighting to save a rare row of watchmakers houses in
Spon End, Coventry have demanded that Coventry City Council 'come clean' about the reason
for their demolition.
STANLEY TERRACE, SPON END, COVENTRY
Local groups have been assured over recent months that the
demolition was in order to remove 'blight and nuisance' and pave the way for the creation
of a pocket park.
However campaigners have been informed by another Council
source that the demolition of the properties does not require planning permission as it is
in accordance with approved City Council policy on road widening through Spon End.
Kevin Noble of the Spon End Building Preservation Trust
said:
"We and other groups in the area have been told on a
number of occasions that there are no plans to widen the road through the area. There have
been assurances from both Councillors and Senior Council Officers. It now appears as
though we are being misled."
It appears that the demolition project is being managed by
the same Council department that is planning road widening in the area and they are using
the road widening plan as a reason for not having to apply for planning permission.
"If they are planning to widen the road then they
should come clean. If they are not then they should submit a planning application, "
said Kevin.
Campaigners have now written to local Councillors and the
Chief Executive Ian Roxburgh seeking clarification.
Conservation groups in Spon End and Chaplefields have
criticised Council plans to demolish the homes at the junction of Hearsall Lane and old
Spon End.
THE HOUSE STILL OWNED PRIVATELY
|
Part of the terrace was demolished by a gas explosion 10
years ago and the remainder was aquired by compulsory purchase order by the City Council
and has since been poorly maintained. One property remains in private hands and the owner
is refusing to sell to the City Council.
A local Residents group and conservation bodies from across
the city have claimed that there was no consultation over the demolition plan and have
called for the houses to be refurbished and sold or let. They claim the
outward condition of the buildings stems from the City Council neglect over many years and
that this is best overcome by returning the houses to use.
The Spon End Building Preservation Trust have said that the
terrace is the only remaining terracotta fronted row of watchmakers houses left in this
part of the city and have offered to undertake the restoration work.
MORE INFORMATION:
Malcolm Adkins, Save Stanley Terrace Group 024 76 256061
|
