BaR News Round-Up March 2023

There are some good stories emerging from our update of the register in the South West.  There are new plans for the Northlights Building in Tuckingmill, Cornwall which has been on the register since 1998 and Brewer's Quay in Weymouth has a proposal which is under consideration.  By contrast, there are several buildings, including a couple which are grade I and II* listed, which are still without progress.

Northlights Buildings, Pendarves Street, Tuckingmill, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8NP

Turned down for listing twice but standing in a conservation area and a World Heritage Site, this 1880s jute mill has great local significance.  Added to our register in 1998, its distinctive sheds with northlights allowed maximum illumination into the site which produced safety fuses.  Long ear-marked as a key regeneration site, there is finally some encourgaing news: we understand that an application to restore and convert the building will be made in the near future as part of the second phase of residential development on the Tuckingmill site by Salboy Developments. The developer has said its intention is to rescue and repurpose the derelict factory by converting it into 14 new mews-style houses and apartments. See here for details.  

Firepool Pumping Station, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1AX

The Firepool Pumping Station stands at an industrial intersection of river, canal and railway. Grade II listed, it is a unique structure which traces various stages of industrial development particular to this area encompassing lime kilns, water tower and pumping station.

In 2017, ambitious plans to turn it into a restaurant and café with a glass-roofed dining area were put forward but at that stage the surrounding area had not been developed and, despite being scaled back, the proposals did not proceed.  Now the Firepool Pumping Station is surrounded by newly built residential streets and its disused state is all too obvious.

We have just heard that the owners of the building have been in discussion with the council and have carried out repair work.  This has given rise to some tentative optimism that progress could soon be made.

Brewers Quay, Hope Square, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8TR

Brewer’s Quay in Weymouth is a magnificent grade II (LEN:1142300) complex of buildings built in North German Renaissance style.  The site was used for brewing from as early as 1252 and, the current building was built in 1903 and 1904.  Brewery use ceased at the site in 1985. 

The brewery was successfully converted into shops, a restaurant and (Weymouth) museum in the 1990s in an award winning scheme.  But the brewery buildings have changed hands many times since then with a developer acquiring the site a few years ago that failed to get a new proposal off the ground.  This left the building standing empty and neglected with water ingress and other problems although a new scheme for residential and other uses was approved.

Brewers Quay was sold to new owners, a development company, in 2021.  We understand that the new owners have secured the building and are pushing ahead with the previously consented plans (WP/18/00298/FUL) for the building but with modifications (see P/VOC/2023/00341).  The scheme involves 47 residential units, 3 retails units and accomodation for the museum with additional exhibition and cultural space.  These plans received approval on 1st March 2023 and the developer wants to start work in the spring of 2023.

31 & 32, Portland Square, St Paul's, Bristol, BS2 8RG

Built between 1789 and 1820, these terraced townhouses stand on one of the most attractive Georgian Squares in Bristol. They are grade I listed (LEN: 1208879).  Both buildings have been empty for many years and are in a shockingly decrepit and vulnerable state.  They are on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register and efforts have been made to bring forward the redevelopment plans which gained consent in 2020.  Despite this, several years on, only some ground works to the rear of the buildings have been completed.  Surely this is a case where the owners (a commercial company) should get on with the work or sell to someone who will.

Lodges and garden walls opposite Kings Weston Stables, Napier Mile Road,  Kings Weston Lane, Bristol BS11 0UR

Two handsome grade II* lodges (LEN: 1187186) and garden walls are today in the ownership of a nearby school, but were originally part of the Kings Weston Estate which still retains, in separate ownership, a beautiful house by Vanbrugh. In fact, the high garden walls around the school are the last remains of the original Tudor mansion of Kingsweston House which was replaced by the Vanbrugh design. 

Separate parts of the original Kings Weston Estate are now in the care of the city council and the National Trust. The grounds are a grade II Registered Park and Garden. The walled garden and pond areas adjoining the lodges are also important features making for a beautiful and fascinating setting. The Kings Weston Action Group www.kwag.org.uk , a local volunteer organisation, are working on improving areas of the estate for visitors, including the lodges, and welcomes new members and volunteers for their periodic working parties.  Click here for their website.

The lodges, the walls and the garden features are now in very poor condition.  The nearby Kings Weston House however has recently found a new use as a wedding and conference venue.  As grade II* listed structures, they are also on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register.  Click here to see the entry.  Given the success of the conversion of the house, perhaps the same owner could be persuaded to take on these important features of the estate?