Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nev Martin on July 13, 2016 at 12:07

That's a shame as I thought they were looking to incorporate the old building into a new community Centre...

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cowan on July 13, 2016 at 13:45

Yes, I think we should be a bit wary about this. They could demolish the old building and then not manage to raise the money to build a new version. Where would we stand then?

It is a similar situation to Battersea Power Station I suppose (on a slightly smaller scale). There the developer(s) were not allowed to demolish and rebuild the chimneys until the local council were sure that they had the money to finish the whole project.

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Permalink Reply by Russell Small on July 20, 2016 at 15:32

"Demolition and rebuilding of the existing hall" - no no no . The Tin Tabernacle is a local landmark. Im all for it being put to good use but demolition of this charming building that has greeted generations of Bounds&Bowes residents and commuters alike ? This cannot be allowed to happen !!! 

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Permalink Reply by Russell Small on July 22, 2016 at 9:57

Just re-read an article from 2013 - refurbish the hall and create a 21st century facility; same look, shape, and form! yes please ???

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Kitching on July 22, 2016 at 18:56

Russell, have you looked at the plans attached to the Samaritan's planning application?  It appears to be a reinstatement of a hall space, with an addition at the rear for a 3-station call-centre and the rest of the rear given over to a 'relaxation garden'.  While I understand the desire to preserve locally important buildings, I also appreciate that this might need to give way to compromise in relation to replacement of buildings that may have deteriorated significantly, or may have rot or asbestos.  If the Samaritans have concluded that the building needs to be replaced on a rational basis then that seems fair enough to me, providing we think the plans are sensitive to the original. If the community can get behind it and hasten the bringing back into use of this site for the community, then all the better.  I took part in the consultation on the building and based on this I would suggest that the Samaritans intend to provide a hall on the site that has community use.  Nevertheless, as Daniel has suggested we need to maintain a watchful eye as 'demolish and rebuild' needs to happen as per the planning proposal.

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