I attended a Planning Control Committee meeting on tuesday night. Specifically I attended to support residents of Glebelands Road who are opposed to a large scale extension being attached to the rear of a large victorian semi. So what? Why bother?

Well what really upset me was that this property is bang smack in the middle of a conservation area and this particular building is owned and occupied by a charity that support recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. Over the years residents have put up with considerable disruption and now they are rewarded by an expansion programme that also seeks to alter significantly this property. As With Prestwich Heys applications for floodlights last year, I do think organisations have to consider when they are outgrowing their existing site and should consider moving to pastures new.

But despite all this it’s the conservation aspect that does for me. Whilst further up the road a larger even more impressive building is being proposed for demolition to be replaced by dreaded flats, on this property developers seek to attach a massive extension. Ok the building survives but is clearly disfigured.

We have to start standing up for our heritage and important buildings. Once demolished or disfigured thats pretty final, the deed is done. I never see extensions being demolished. 

I requested a site visit at the Planning meeting which was supported by the committee so I hope residents will turn out on November 25th to support this building being kept as it is.