Leading Pendle councillors say they want to save the front section of a historic yet vacant building from demolition. Trafalgar House, adjacent to Nelson Town Hall, has been under consideration for partial or full demolition as part of plans to regenerate the site and the wider town centre, potentially providing a source of income for Pendle Council.
The future of the empty building has been discussed within the context of the £25million Nelson Town Deal, an agreement made with the previous Conservative government aimed at revitalising Nelson town centre and stimulating the local economy. This deal includes the proposed demolition and redevelopment of the Pendle Rise shopping centre.
There were aspirations that Trafalgar House could be repurposed in a joint venture, similar to the successful redevelopment of the vast Northlight mill in Brierfield. Over the past few years, Pendle Council and consultants have explored various concepts and designs, including the creation of commercial space and a first-floor apartment, a partially-covered events area, car parking equipped with EV charging points, or even an indoor cricket facility.
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However, it is estimated that none of the proposals so far would meet the required return-on-investment threshold for commercial partners, due to financial agreements associated with the town deal.
At a recent meeting, Pendle Council's executive members discussed the future of Trafalgar House, with some councillors advocating for the preservation of the building's front section. Financial estimates and options, including total demolition, were presented to the council by senior officer Phillip Spurr, reports .
William Stephenson, a member of the public, voiced his support for the full retention of Trafalgar House, citing an online petition backed by The Victorian Society that has garnered over 1,000 signatures. According to Stephenson, Trafalgar House plays a crucial role in the £25 million Nelson Town Deal, which aims to rejuvenate the town by improving local buildings and repurposing vacant or underused sites.
The importance of Nelson's architectural heritage, including structures like the Town Hall and the old library, is emphasised on the deal website. Conservative Councillor Ash Sutcliffe also referenced the petition and spoke about the historical significance and value of preserving Trafalgar House.
Other Conservatives, including Sarah Cockburn-Price, Kieran McGladdery, and Martyn Stone, echoed these sentiments, arguing for the preservation of the entire building. However, the Pendle executive is composed of Independents and Lib-Dems, not Conservatives.
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Lib-Dem councillors David Whipp and Tom Whipp have voiced their support for the complete demolition of Trafalgar House, as per a council report. However, Independent councillors Asjad Mahmood, Mohammad Hanif, Mohammed Iqbal and Yvonne Tennant are in favour of a regeneration scheme that retains only the front section of the building.
The executive has noted potential running costs of between £25,000 to £27,000 if tenants cannot be found, along with an estimated one-off cost of £1.6million for redevelopment. They have confirmed their approval for a scheme that preserves the front section.
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