In Feb 2008, after the demolision of the Grade II listed Granville Marina Resteurant, I emailed TDC to offer my support for the most robust action possible to achieve a full restoration of the building.
In return, Cllt Roger Latchford OBE, deputy leader of the council sent me this official statement, which I welcome:
Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Culture and Economy, said:
"The council has done everything in its power to preserve this listedbuilding. However, our first concern has been ensuring that the buildingis made safe and, unfortunately, to do that, a great deal of demolition work has been needed to make it stable. Work is now underway to remove the demolition debris and the council will be keeping anything that could be used in the reconstruction of the building to the way it was previously. "The council is utterly determined to ensure that this building is re-built in its previous form and, to this end, we have already served notices on the owner of the property. One requires emergency works to be carried out immediately and, if this is not done, the Council will undertake the work in default. The other notice requires the property to be put back in its original state. This will mean that the owner will have to submit detailed information on how they will achieve this requirement."
I let it be known then, that I believed that the Council should have considered prosecution. They did not, and we are where we are this week with a planning application coming forward for the site. My position is still that complete reinstatement of what was there before is what is required.
8 comments:
I am delighted to hear that Cllr Green. I have extracted this from a Gov website on listed buildings:
"All changes which affect the character of a listed building require listed building consent (LBC) from your local authority. There is no charge for LBC and there is VAT relief on alterations for which consent is granted (Further information is available from your local Customs & Excise Department). Listing does not mean that no changes will be allowed but each proposal will be assessed individually. Unauthorised work to a listed building is a criminal offence, and carries heavy penalties."
"You need consent to alter extend or demolish any part of a listed building. This includes for example taking down chimneys; removing fireplaces, partitions or staircases; replacing windows and doors, or altering their openings, and any change to the external appearance."
Was any consent sought from TDC before demolition proceeded? If not, a criminal offence has ocurred.
Keep trying David - I know you do your best
Yes Councillor Green always does his best and puts his resident's concerns first - unlike some Councillors I could name.
Speaking of which, is there any hope now that you're on our town council that we might get our weekly street cleaning services reinstated? As you have probably seen for yourself, the back streets around Bellevue Road and Augusta Road are awash with rubbish.
But cllr green was also on the old charter trustees, he did nothing then why should we expext a change now
Cllr Green was one of the most
active Charter Trustees, better than
any of the tories !
Who was actually responsible for the act of instructing the demolition of the listed structure. I heard that it was the councils appointed engineer and not the owner? Maybe the Council have more to hide than they are letting on!
The council's engineer Holt & Wolton instructed the demolition of the Marina Resturant due to the immanent danger of collapse of the front of the building.Thanet council were therefore responsible for ordering the demolition of the listed building. I understand The Previous owners family had the building for approximately 40 years & nothing was done to preserve it. The current owner only had the building for 10 months. Where was thanet council in all this time.
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