BaR News Round up January 2024
In BaR news this month, we are calling for nominations for new entries to be added to the Buildings at Risk Register later in the year. We also look at a recent new entry, the Torquay Pavilion, whose future is looking a lot brighter going into 2024 than it has for a while. We have followed its story for a number of years and, more recently, wrote to the Council to urge that its repair and restoration be given priority before it is too late. Finally, we include details of a beautiful church near Tetbury in Gloucestershire which is for sale.
Call for new entries for SAVE's Buildings at Risk Register
Do you know of buildings with history and character that are standing empty and decaying? We will be announcing the new additions to our Buildings at Risk Register in the summer of 2024 and we would like to hear from you if you know of buildings to be included.
We are looking for disused listed or unlisted historic buildings which are empty and in need of a new use or new users. The buildings do not have to be for sale to be included. By putting the buildings on our register, our aim is to raise awareness of these forgotten buildings and ultimately to bring them to the attention of new owners or custodians who are able to repair them, return them to use and secure the buildings’ future. We also use the register as a platform to campaign for the protection and restoration of these buildings.To nominate a building please send us a photograph and as detailed an address as possible, together with anything you know about the building. To be included in this year's summer launch we need to receive the nomination by 22nd March 2024.
To read more about the online Buildings at Risk Register and what we are looking for please read the "Contribute to the Register" section on our website by clicking here.To make nominations or for more information, please contact Liz Fuller, Buildings at Risk Officer, on liz.fuller@savebritainsheritage.org.
New entry: Torquay Pavilion, Vaughan Road, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5EQ
Beautifully embodying the elegance and invention of seaside architecture at the turn of the 20th century, Torquay Pavilion was built in 1911 to designs of architect Edward Richards. Its central double height hall, with a small cupola dome is wrapped by a single storey surround which provided an elevated terrace on which to promenade. Four octagonal turrets topped by canopies modelled on bandstands linked the walkways and afforded a place to stand or sit and survey the scene under cover. The exterior is clad in white and green Doulton Carrera-ware tiles and there is delicate Art Nouveau ironwork. Inside the central hall, originally a concert hall, has exceptional detailed plasterwork and noted Art Nouveau stained glass windows.
Having been in use as a plastic ice rink in the 1980s, conversion to which resulted in significant changes to the interior, a long lease was subsequently granted by the Council to Marina Developments Limited who opened it as a shopping arcade in 1987, closing at the end of 2012 for redevelopment. In 2014 plans were put forward for building a large hotel and flats right next door to and incorporating the Pavilion as the new hotel's foyer. This was approved by the Council in 2018 but this decision was challenged by a local campaign group who brought a Judicial Review of the decision which quickly overturned the planning approval. There then followed a period of apparent stalemate, with the Council apparently unable to require the tenants to make much-needed repairs to the Pavilion or even protect it from the elements to ensure no further damage was done. After a change in local councillors in 2019, a preliminary survey was carried out in 2021 which was intended to pave the way for a full, intrusive survey of the building for which listed building consent was granted in 2022. To enable the full survey, the building would need to be covered. The cost of this has been estimated at £2million but the figure is disputed by some.
The same local campaign group as succeeded in bringing the Judicial Review, now called Save Torquay Pavilion, has continued to campaign and to call for the Pavilion to be protected from the elements and to receive the attention it needs.
In a positive development after years of uncertainty it was announced at the end of 2023 that Torbay Council will take back the lease of the Pavilion and are planning to commence restoration work by the end of 2024. The sooner work to protect the structure can take place, the better for the building and we will continue to follow the story with interest.
For Sale: St Bartholomew's Church, Newington, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8UE
We have just been notified that this beautfiul grade II redundant church near Tetbury in Gloucestershire is for sale. Click here to go to the particulars on the website of the Estate Agents which refer to a previous planning permission and listed building consent to convert the building to residential use.