News

Anger over plans to demolish ‘heritage asset’ Victorian buildings in West Bridgford

People living close to two Victorian-era buildings in West Bridgford fear the area’s historic character will be ruined if plans to knock them down go ahead.

A notice of demolition for Grafton House and Welbeck House on Loughborough Road was submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council on April 28, but there are 150 public comments objecting to the proposal. A site notice on the front of Welbeck House says the proposed date of demolition is 6 October.

Rockwood Developments Ltd had failed with a previous application to demolish the buildings and replace them with 32 apartments and a car park, which were rejected by the council in February.

But a new proposal to only knock down the structures has now been put forward.

Residents of the adjoining Patrick Road are among those who have voiced their opposition.

Elsdon Ward, 77, says flattening the two buildings is needless and ruins the look of the area.

He said: “They’re prominent representations of what West Bridgford stands for in terms of architecture. Rockwood are trying to knock them down without any reason.

“They’re not derelict, they’re still in use.

“Economic growth should not be achieved at the expense of our historic landmark architecture.”

Mr Ward also raised concerns over parking in the area.

He added: “More and more traffic is being squeezed onto the streets that do not have metered parking, worsening the lack of protection for residents.

“Anybody can park here and they do.”

Fellow Patrick Road resident Shazia Khan, 53, is worried about how the demolition will affect privacy for herself and neighbours.

She said: “The privacy element is just going to be overlooked, our garden is only metres away from the buildings.

“We’ve had this property for 40 years and three generations have lived here.”

Ms Khan says her elderly parents, who live next door to her, would be distressed by any demolition.

Both Grafton and Welbeck House are used as offices and are considered by Rushcliffe Borough Council to represent Non-Designated Heritage Assets (NDHAs) due to their historic interest.

They date back to the period of late Victorian and early Edwardian development in West Bridgford in around 1885-1899, according to Sera Baker, a conservation officer at Rushcliffe Borough Council.

In response to the proposal, Ms Baker said: “I consider the proposal would have a harmful effect on the significance of the principal NDHAs, Grafton House and Welbeck House.”

The deadline for a decision from the council is May 23.

Rushcliffe Borough Council said it cannot unable to comment on a live application but is “aware of the concerns raised” and is “investigating all of the options available”.

Agents for Rockwood Developments were contacted for comment but did not respond.