Hospital 'not worth saving'
CAMPAIGNERS face defeat in their fight to protect part of an historic hospital from the bulldozers.
Demolition contractors have already been recruited to knock down the former Westcliffe Hospital, in Chell.
Last month a trio of councillors, Peter Kent-Baguley, Geoff Knight and Ann James, decided to fight the plans and managed to secure a review of the decision.
They argued the 100-year-old hospital, which is not listed, was a landmark building in Stoke-on-Trent, and called for its facade to be incorporated into development plans.
They were also angry the contract to carry out the work, which is budgeted to cost £1.2 million, had been awarded to London-based Brown and Mason Demolition Contractors and not a local company.
But members of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's improving communities scrutiny committee yesterday poured cold water on the campaign, after the building failed to impress them on visit to the Turnhurst Road site.
They concluded the main frontage is not worth preserving, but identified a number of features which should be retained.
These included making every effort to keep the original gates, walls and lodge, keeping six stone urns for use as decorative features and restoring the pond in front of the main building.
Councillor David Conway, chairman of the committee, pictured below, said: "We've been to have a look at the site and I couldn't see anything which suggested we should keep the facade of the building, or spend another penny down there.
"The place is loaded with asbestos which would cost £500,000 to remove. It's costing £18,000 per month for security at the site too, and I think we have wasted enough money on it.
"English Heritage have been contacted and they said they wouldn't touch the site with a barge pole and that it wasn't viable to list the building."
Following their site visit to the former hospital, councillors decided the facade of the building visible from the roadside had "little historical or decorative value."
The findings of the committee will now be presented to the council's cabinet tomorrow, when councillors are expected to make a final decision. More than 150 people had signed a petition to save the hospital.
Joan Taylor, chairman of Chell Area Residents' Association, who lives in Barber Road, said she was "bitterly disappointed" at the decision.
She said: "It's a beautiful building and it would be very sad to see it go."
The building is to be converted into 215 self-contained flats to provide extra care housing.
The hospital closed in 2007 and the control of the land has since reverted to city council.
Work will include the retention and refurbishment of some features, including the existing lodge building and access gates.
13 Comments
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by Albert Hopkins shirley, Melbourne Australia
Thursday, November 26 2009, 1:58PM
“Oh another sarger of councils and buildings.
just like Uttoxeter town hall.
One time they say its going to cost 70,000 pounds to do the works.
Ablind man could see that it would cost more.
When this was told to them the cost went up to over 100,000 pounds.NOW the cost is over 800,000 pounds.
Yes from 70,000 pounds to 800,000 pounds IN SIX months.
That was from their so called expert who spoke at the Uttoxeter town HALL.
Now
I would ask how much would this building cost to build at todays cost.
With solid bricks hard wood roof trusses and other building materials.
Thats the start.
Ask JUST how much asbestos their is, as most times it is far far less than what they say.
THEN
I say this as seeing what has happened.
Bring in the police serious Fraud Squad in from Scotland yard, TO investigate all the things that are going on in Stoke on Trent.
.
Not some civil inspector as they are obliged to the government and seem to be on the councils side.
Also bring in qualified builders not some Occupational Health Officers as most of them would not have a clue on buildings.
OH I am a registered OHS officer registered by the government of Victoria and have been OHS in large company's.And have been in the building industry for over 40 years.
More than most of them have been around on this earth.
I was at the middle Port Inquiry OCT 2008 so I can speak with sound knowledge of what they say.
And have seen what happens on demo and building sites.
Albert Hopkins Shirley.”
by Michael, neckend
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 9:24AM
“Oops, they are at it again. The councillor trying to justify the contract being given to what was probably the highest bidder, was almost incoherent, and then adopted the well known failsafe position, "blame it on the computer". At least he got us on the tele' again. When will we be depicted other than buffoons? Traveling to other areas it's embarrassing to admit you come from Stoke-on-Trent. You could ,once, turn a cup over, and look like an expert from the antiques show, but we will not be able to do that much longer at the rate we are losing the pottery industry. We have very little to be proud of now, and our local "dignitaries"are not making things any better. Theres a smell associated with everything they are associated with, that is being aired nationally, as it should be. Time for the local M.P.s to get involved, they can then look as if they are doing something for their money, and perks.”
by Chris, Newstead
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 10:04PM
“Congratulations to Cllr Rigby for raising concerns about the selection process.”
by Chris, Newstaed
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 10:02PM
“If we removed the security then is would save 18k per month the kids could go in set fire to it and save another £1.2M.
Tenders should be opened in public domain this would remove the situation of people thinking something was wrong in this city. Which i agree once again things are looking just a little strange.
Good to see our council want to support our local economy.”
by Warren, Meir
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 8:43PM
“BBC Midlands are on the case, what is the council playing at, its Joke on Trent, yet again. Heads sould roll this time. and lots of them. It stinks, again.”