Partial demolition plan for historic Nelson building blasted by critics
‘Developers say the best parts will be safeguarded
Furious residents have claimed a town is losing its historic buildings to make way for ‘metal retail units’ – as a landmark structure faces partial demolition.
Some people living in Nelson and The Victorian Society have raised concerns about a planning application for Trafalgar House, near Nelson Town Hall.
PenBrook Developments wants permission to demolish the back, redevelop the front for new uses and build a 23-space public car park on cleared land.
Trafalgar House was originally built as Nelson Technical School and later used by Nelson & Colne College and Lancashire County Council. But it has been empty for years.
PenBrook is a joint company created by Pendle Council and developer Brookhouse Group for various Nelson Town Deal projects. These include demolishing and redeveloping Pendle Rise shopping centre and creating a new Nelson & Colne College campus in the nearby ACE office block.
Regarding Trafalgar House, a new report for councillors on Pendle’s Nelson committee says: “This four storey building, including the basement, is in Nelson’s conservation area and is a non-listed heritage asset. It has been vacant for over a decade and fallen into disrepair, with damp and water causing major damage. This proposal is for demolition of the rear and retention of the façade, to be refurbished and used for business, learning and non-residential purposes.
“Trafalgar House sits beside a cluster of listed buildings including The Old Library, Nelson Town Hall and The Lord Nelson pub. Its primary significance derives from its façade but the inside staircases have high importance too. So a scheme has been worked-up to incorporate some of the stairs and the historic façade.”
In recent years, Trafalgar House ideas have included creating an indoor cricket centre but that now seems unlikely. The new report says: “Other potential uses have been explored and discounted, due to viability concerns. There is a funding gap of around £2.2m for options such as the full building’s refurbishment, residential schemes and leisure use.
“But this new proposal would safeguard and conserve the most historically-important elements, safeguard the front and enhance its current dilapidated, derelict form.”
However, objections have come from some people to Pendle Council. Some say ‘less-harmful’ alternatives to demolition have not been explored. Or council money has been ‘wasted ‘ on the Ace Centre rather than restoring Trafalgar House. Some claim the back of Trafalgar House should be kept too.
The Victorian Society says Trafalgar House is significant, even though not listed, and partial demolition would harm Nelson’s identity
One resident has said: “I totally disagree with this plan. It is the council’s fault that this historic building, which represents the town’s heritage, has fallen into disrepair. The building should be re-purposed – not torn down.
“No doubt, the valuable stone will be sold. I know this consultation is just paying lip-service to the obligation to consult the public. But I’m lodging my complaint anyway.”
The objector said Nelson is being ‘stripped of its heritage, bit-by-bit’, including ‘beautiful’ flag stones taken from back streets and replaced with tar surfacing. Overall, this was creating ‘a disgraceful environment’.
Another objector said: “There will be sufficient parking elsewhere in the new town centre. Efforts need to be made to maintain as much of this building’s structure and character – and the town’s wider heritage. Our town is in danger of becoming a generic, metal retail unit block with no character.”
Pendle planning officers are advising councillors to approve the plan. The Nelson area committee will consider it on Monday, March 30.