SEFTON’S HERITAGE AT RISK
On 7th November 2023, the Council’s Cabinet Member (Planning & Building Control) reported to Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration & Skills), on the Council’s performance within a range of Planning issues.
Conservation Areas at Risk
One element of the report referred to Heritage and Conservation work, which makes particularly dismal reading. The report states:
“We are continuing to work towards the removal of the 6 Conservation Areas from the National Heritage at Risk Register. These are Lord Street, Promenade, West Birkdale, North Meols (Southport), Christ Church and Waterloo Park (Waterloo). This includes a number of different work areas including raising their profile through Twitter and Facebook, regeneration funding bids, working with the local community, Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, taking enforcement and other legal action in relation to a number of derelict sites and listed buildings in these areas, including the major Lord Street Verandah project.”
Sefton has 25 Conservation Areas across the Borough and it is alarming that these 6 Conservation Areas have remained on the National Heritage At Risk Register for many years in a poor and deteriorating condition.
The Council website describes Conservation Areas as follows:
“A Conservation Area is an area that has 'special architectural or historic interest' and where it is important that this special character is preserved or enhanced.
The special character of each conservation area does not come from the quality of the buildings alone. Equally important are features such as the layout of roads and paths, grouping of buildings (townscape), the materials used, landscape features and the quality of public and private spaces.”
Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Strategies.
Government guidance advises that in order to protect the qualities of conservation areas, there must be a detailed assessment of the elements that create their special character. The appraisals form the basis for local planning policies and development control decisions. Sefton Council report that are currently producing appraisals for each of our Conservation Areas.
The Appraisal should also be accompanied by a Management Plan. The Management Plan is the key tool for outlining the way in which the Council will seek to preserve and enhance the conservation areas and how it will be monitored.
Management Plans are largely absent across Sefton, which makes enforcement of any irregularities more challenging.
For example, the Blundellsands Conservation Area was designated in March 2008 but, 15 years later, no Management Plan has been put in place.
The area has been allowed to deteriorate as a result of unauthorised demolition of historic houses, crumbling boundary walls and a variety of planning approvals which have significantly altered the characteristics of the area. There is no evidence of enforcement action having been taken.
Whilst a Management Plan for Lord Street and Promenade, Southport, has been produced it is clearly not being enforced, as the Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Area remains on the National Heritage at Risk Register.
Sefton Council’s Planning Website tells us that:
“Good management and maintenance is crucial to the long-term care of heritage sites, this means having the right skills and procedures in place to ensure that they are looked after in an appropriate manner. Poor management and maintenance puts heritage at risk, and can lead to higher repair, restoration and refurbishment costs in the future.”
Council-owned Listed Buildings
The Scrutiny Committee report continues:
“Progress has been made on a number of Heritage at Risk sites including working with colleagues and partners on a number of Council owned Listed Buildings to secure their improvement and long term use and sustainability. “
Where is the evidence that the Planning Department is working with colleagues on Council owned Listed Buildings?
One has simply to look at the Town Halls, such as the flagship Bootle Town Hall complex with weeds growing out of the gutters and between the stonework. Window frames are rotted. This building is the Council’s headquarters and should act as an example to showcase the Council’s stewardship of its property.
In order to help prevent major repairs to historic homes and to help in the cost of living crisis the Planning Heritage team have published helpful guidance for homeowners in the maintenance of their property. This document, entitled: “Guide to Maintaining Sefton’s Historic Homes” can be found in the Planning website:
https://www.sefton.gov.uk/planning-building-control/conservation-and-he…
The very useful Guide provides essential advice on maintaining historic buildings, such as checking the roof, walls and gutters and even includes a checklist which can be completed annually to highlight deterioration and plan works which need to be undertaken.
Having produced such a Guide, why is it not being used by other departments of the Council who have responsibility for managing and maintaining the Council’s buildings, especially Listed Buildings?
Progress with the Council’s Listed Buildings
On 13th March 2018 the Regeneration Scrutiny Committee received a report on Town Centre Action Plans, dealing with Bootle, Crosby, Waterloo and Southport.
With regards to Bootle Town Hall the report noted:
“We continue to actively engage with stakeholders and developers regarding opportunities for repurposing the Grade 2 listed building complex adjacent to the Town Hall. A developer site visit was undertaken in January 2018 and we have also met with Hugh Baird College to understand potential collaboration. This does not include the Bootle Town Hall building (included under Public Sector Reform, Asset Maximisation, PSR#8);
A masterplan for the site is being developed by the internal project design team to support with an expression of interest for Heritage Lottery Funding application being submitted in March 2018;”
“We are exploring opportunities for a heritage centre in the former museum and library and have appointed heritage specialists Lloyd Evans Prichard to undertake building condition surveys work and produce a concept design. Their updated report was received on 15 December 2017.”
What has become of this report and masterplan and why is the Town Hall being allowed to fall into disrepair?
Likewise, it was noted that at Waterloo Town Hall,
“Donald Insall Associates have completed carrying out a condition and heritage assessment for the complex. This report will be issued, together with associated costings in late March 2018. A Marketing Assessment and Appraisal will be commissioned early in 2018”
Where is that report and what action is being taken?
Regarding Southport Pier, the Scrutiny Committee was told:
“Major refurbishment of the Pier is underway, with the phased programme of works continuing until November 2018. Underdeck painting is continuing with good progress being made and structural repairs being carried out; The installation of the new retail kiosks on the pier is expected to take place from February 2018”
We all know the consequences of that repair contract, carried out just 5 years ago.
We have written repeatedly about Carnegie Library, Crosby, which was closed to the public 10 years ago on 10th December 2013 and allowed to deteriorate. Whilst a preferred developer has been selected, and planning and listed building consent obtained, no works have yet commenced on this building. There seems no urgency from this Council to safeguard the building and see it brought back into productive use.
Funding for repair and refurbishment of Listed Buildings
Local Authorities can apply to English Heritage for grants that improve, protect and control their historic environments. Grants can cover all or some of the costs of repairs; help to buy historic buildings and designed landscapes; and fund relevant heritage projects.
English Heritage also works with the Wolfson Foundation and the War Memorials Trust to provide grants for the repair and upkeep of war memorials.
Some Key Listed Buildings owned by Sefton Council
Bootle Town Hall (1882)
Bootle Education Offices (Free Library & Museum) (1886)
Bootle Baths (1888)
Bootle Juvenile Court (1890)
Waterloo Town Hall (1862)
Southport Victoria Baths (1839)
Southport Town Hall (1852)
Southport Pier (1859)
Southport War Memorial (1923)
Great Crosby and Blundellsands War Memorial (1923)
Crosby Carnegie Library (1904)
In conclusion
Sefton Council is failing to safeguard Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings, especially those Listed Buildings which it owns. The Town Halls are being neglected and are under-used. Whilst studies have been commissioned at our expense there has been no follow-up action.
Where is the evidence that this Labour Council cares for our historic heritage and why is it not maintaining these 100 + year-old buildings for future generations?
