It may be that the West Stand could have or may in the future have a Building Preservation Order on it if it is classed as a Building of Architectural or Historical importance. If that's the case then we're stuck with it. Anyone can apply for any building to have a preservation order on it - doesn't have to be the owner. It may be that only parts of the stand are deemed to be of interest - maybe the roof joists or the panelling in the Committee Room. Posibly the ancient turnstiles and red brick wall merit preservation. Maybe something the Club should check out?
I can’t imagine there’s anything of historical importance. Yes it’s a Leitch design, but a very very basic one. There’s no iron lattice work or grand brick facade, like Villa, Rangers etc. Even the apex isn’t worth keeping for me. Bulldoze the lot, I say.
e.g. The K6 type telephone kiosk outside 13 Church Street is Preserved - was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott. It is constructed in cast iron with a square plan and a dome, and has three unperforated crowns in the top panels. Marc, it's surprising what is preserved - (see above) - There's a list of Barnsley's preserved buildings on the interent - not all these buildings are attractive/smart. I know of a large old house which is preserved just because two of the ancient window frames are adjudged to be of interest. The old West Stand Committee Room is interesting. The Club should look into this now rather than wait until they're planning demolition because permisssion will be needed before that can happen.
It has no such order on it at the moment. You raise this regularly and suggest that people check it out but what do you actually mean? Check that there isn't one? Or do you mean you want someone to apply for one to make sure it stays?
thanks ST - If the club decided to flatten the Stand they would need permission from the local Council. Someone from the Preservation Dept would come along and assess the Stand. They may deem some or all the structure to be of 'Historical Interest' If that's the case the Stand remains. Even if there are no immediate plans for demolition It would be a good idea if the Club contacted the Preservation people and got them to clarify things - so that we know where we are.
It would be the Council (as planning authority) who would have the power (note power, not duty) to serve a BPN. The same Council that own the ground, and would undoubtedly be heavily involved in the early planning stages of any designs for a new stand. In short, a BPO is not going to happen.
If these owners and the council decide to rebuild the stand I think we could go for something like this because it would fall within their spending capability.
That's not quite correct... a BPO doesn't work by itself, it is a interim order to protect a listed building. Anyone can get a building listed, by applying through Historic England.. if the application for listing was accepted by the Sec of State the BPO could happen then if there was a threat to the building.
I’m a philistine, because I think the West Stand is no longer fit for purpose and needs replacing? Strange take, but fair dos.
No one should look to protect the West Stand. Whilst certain parts would be nice to be preserved for display elsewhere, any kind of listing or preservation order simply adds £££££s and years to any future development. It’d be akin to shooting yourself in the foot……. Let’s not go down that route.
Anyone can apply for listing, of course, but it would still be the council that exercise the power of service of a BPN. They're not obliged to do so I don't believe. And they would exercise some caution in doing so as they could be liable for compensation if the building is ultimately rejected for listing by HE. I don't see anything special about the WS other than being relatively old. I don't believe the council would serve a BPN.
If the Club decided to demolish the West Stand they would need permission from the Council. (The fact it may be Council owned isn't relevant.) Because of the age of the structure the Council would need to consult with Historic England. If there is nothting of historic or architectural interest then it can be demolished - if there is something of interest it has to be preserved. It may be the ugliest building totally unfit for purpose hated by many but if HE list the building it stays. It should be possible for the Club to have it surveyed by Historic England they would then advise if it can be demolished at some point in the future. (I've no strong opinion about whether it stays or goes - Im in the ESL!) All Barnsley's listed buildings are listed on the Internet - intersting reading - some surprises.
Marc, I'm not having a go at you, but saying not fit for purpose is the same excuse they used for knocking down the beautiful old Alhambra or the Tudor buildings that used to stand in town. What we should be looking at is refurbishing and modernising what is now a rarity to the standard Fulham FC did to their Leitch stand. Let's be honest the replacement won't be a cherished architectural masterpiece, it will be built of breeze block and concrete and covered with a skin of rectangular section plastic covered sheeting. I can see no long term pride or aesthetic merit to be gained from such a structure... each to his own as you say though.
Which bit do we save? The couple of year old ends? The twenty odd year old power tier? The couple of year old gantry cladding? The 30 odd year old gantry itself? The 50 odd year old outer wings? Or is it just the middle upper tier section with asbestos in it that needs saving?