Thursday, August 08, 2019

WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THIS REDUNDANT BRIGG BUILDING?


It's now three-and-a-half years since permission was granted to demolish this building in the Brigg Conservation Area, on Cary Lane, near the town's main bus stop. But it's still with us.
Back in January 2016 approval was given to knock it down - a decision that was expected to result in a new area of green space being provided within the town centre.
But there's still no sign of the wrecking crews moving in.
North Lincolnshire Council made the successful application to demolish the former Market Store. It was home to town centre stalls while they were not in use on Thursdays and Saturdays until a replacement was found elsewhere, making the Cary Lane structure redundant.
No objections to demolition had been lodged by the public or any groups or public bodies.
A report prepared by planners in 2016 stressed the single-storey brick building "makes no positive contribution to the character or appearance of the conservation area."
It added: "This is an unattractive building that has no historic or architectural importance to the area.
"The site sits in a part of the Brigg conservation area which is not particularly sensitive and the conservation officer advises that turfing the ground following demolition of the building will provide some visual relief in a part of the Conservation Area that has been subject to modern hard landscaping."
When granting approval for demolition of the building on January 21, 2016 the council added a condition that "the development must be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission."
Clearly, that's now long gone which suggests that a further application will have to made to renew the planning approval - taking up more time.
So why the lengthy delay in demolishing the building and creating the turfed area between Cary Lane and Coney Court?
We have put this question to North Lincolnshire Council, from time to time, since permission was granted.
A statement issued in July 2018 said: "Before we go ahead with the demolition of the market storage unit on Cary Lane, we are making sure plans are in place for the future use of the land."
We've now (early August 2019) repeated our request to North Lincolnshire Council, asking when - at long last - this building will be taken down.
Demolishing a building within a Conservation Area is not commonplace, but the council, through the granting of planning permission in 2016, regards this structure as an exception.
Should the council come back to us with a statement, or projected date for demolition, Brigg Blog will he happy to issue an update.

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