Dear Sir/Madam,
Demolition of the Red House, Coalville and replacement with a Convenience Store (Planning Application 18/01179/FUL).
I am writing to object to the demolition of the Red House. Why does this historic building that has stood for centuries have to be demolished? It is the oldest building in Coalville and predates the beginnings of the town by at least 60 years, as the earliest documentary evidence so far found is for 1774. It has also been a landmark for anyone entering the town due to its location at the cross roads in the centre of the town. It appears to be in good condition and is a landmark in the town centre and we should be preserving it not demolishing it.
To demolish this building will make a mockery of the Coalville Conservation Area, how can the oldest building in the town be wiped away for a convenience store, which in addition is, of substandard design quality and will resembles a ‘shed’ in the centre of the town. Coalville deserves better.
I also question the need for another convenience store in the centre of the town. Within a ten minute walk of the Red House there are five supermarkets or convenience stores; ASDA, High Street, Marlborough Square, Aldi’s and Lidl, do we really need another one? There are a glut of empty shops in the town centre why doesn’t the Co-op reuse one of these? The Coalville Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan states “In the current economic climate and with the associated decline of high street in general Coalville is suffering from high shop vacancy rates” it goes onto say that “However, Coalville retains enough of its historic and architectural quality to form the basis for heritage-led regeneration”.
I would also offer the suggestion that the building and the site could be better used for cultural benefits or social housing. The building could be reused as a cultural centre integrating additional studio space for Hermitage FM, community space and heritage centre? Or it could be sympathetically restored and converted to flats and the surrounding car park with new houses or flats, we are constantly told there is a housing shortage and a need for social housing in the area and here is a prime example of a historic building that could be reused for a social benefit.
The Coalville Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Planstates that the Red House is one of the buildings on High Street that is considered to “make a Positive Contribution to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.” It also states that, “All applications for planning permission relating to buildings and sites will be considered in respect of their impact upon the character and appearance of the conservation area. There will be a presumption against proposal which fail to preserve or enhance the character of the area unless it can be shown that there are significant benefits which would justify damage to the historic character of the area”. The proposed convenience store new build is of very poor design and will undoubtedly damage the historic character of the Conservation Area.
The Coalville Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan stresses that “In this respect applications for the demolition of buildings which are identified in the appraisal as making a positive contribution to the appearance and character of the area will normally be rejected”. It has been highlighted that the Red House makes a positive contribution to the appearance and character of the area and therefore any detrimental application to demolition should automatically be rejected, such as the current application which proposes a replacement building of poor design and character and does not contribute anything to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. To approve the demolition will go directly against the recommendation of the Conservation Area statement.
Yours faithfully,