Neptune Consultants' plan with destroy historic part of Poole, say campaigners (From Thisisdorset)

Neptune Consultants' plan with destroy historic part of Poole, say campaigners

10:00am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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CAMPAIGNERS fighting a controversial development in Poole say it will mean bulldozing one of the town’s historic commercial buildings.

Poole Old Town Conservation Society (POTCS) is leading the charge against plans for a £100million waterfront development on industrial land between Poole Bridge and the new Twin Sails Bridge.

The conservation group has branded Neptune Consultants' application for 440 homes, shops and offices off West Quay Road – including a 12-storey tower – “a carbuncle on the quay” and sent out a rallying call for residents to make their objections known.

Well over 200 people submitted responses before the planning deadline expired on September 3.

Now the society has criticised the council for “failing to protect” the historic former Quay Glass building fronting West Quay Road, part of Arthur Brays Yard.

While the building is not officially ‘listed’ it appears on Poole’s Local List of protected buildings.

It was also formerly Dorset Foundry from where much of the historic ironwork around the town originated.

In a statement POTCS said its attractive frontage could “at the very least” be incorporated in a new development.

Mark Howell, a member of Poole Old Town Conservation Group committee, said: “Not every old building is worth saving but what is important is that a proper assessment of value is made and that, where possible, attempts are made to incorporate historic buildings within new developments.

He added: “What is the point of having the Local List if no protection is ultimately offered?”

Richard Genge, planning and regeneration manager for the Borough of Poole, acknowledged that locally listed buildings were of “historical importance to Poole”.

He added: “Although we will try to resist development on land where buildings are locally listed, or seek to retain locally listed structures as part of the development, if an application is deemed to have sufficient public benefits their demolition will be considered and does not require additional consent.”