A DECISION by councillors to save a much-loved historic building from demolition - as they felt it was too ‘beautiful’ and had too much ‘character’ to be knocked down - has been overturned by a planning inspector.
Costs have also been awarded to developers Thomas Jones and Sons who plan to demolish the Edwardian-style building at 83 Fluin Lane, Frodsham and build 10 homes on the site.
The appeal arose following a Cheshire West and Chester planning meeting when councillors voted to save the house despite their bid to have the property listed as a building of ‘national importance’ being turned down.
Cllr Norman Wright (Con) said he was ‘disappointed’ the building had not been listed by English Heritage, saying: “It would be a shame to knock it down and would be a loss to Frodsham as a whole. It is a beautiful building, it has got character.
“I would not be against it being turned into flats, but to knock it down would be against the wishes of Frodsham.”
Frodsham town and borough councillor Lynn Riley (Con) said: “It is not our job to make the lives of developers easier. It is not that these developments are not welcome in Frodsham, but even in the time I have been there, so many buildings have been taken down which give the town character.”
Cllr Don Beckett (Lab) warned the council had been told it had no chance of being listed.
Inspector Anthony Wharton points out the house is in poor condition and has been unoccupied since 2006.
He granted permission and awarded full costs to the developers for the planning committee’s unreasonable behaviour.
