Agenda Item No. 5 Report To
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AGENDA ITEM NO. 5 REPORT TO: Planning Committee REPORT NO. HCWD/66/12 DATE: 3 December 2012 REPORTING OFFICER: Head of Community Wellbeing & Development CONTACT OFFICER: Anna Irwin (Ext 8760) SUBJECT: Buildings at Risk WARD: All PURPOSE OF THE REPORT To inform Members of progress made during year one of the Buildings at Risk Strategy. INFORMATION 1. The Buildings at Risk Strategy 2012-16 was adopted by the Executive Board in December 2011 with the key aim of safeguarding the historic assets of the County Borough from neglect and decay ensuring that they are fully cared for today and by future generations. 2. The success of the strategy will be assessed on an annual basis in a report to the Planning Committee measured against the actions as set out in the yearly action plan and quantitatively against defined monitoring indicators. 3. After year one, the number of buildings at risk remains unchanged with two buildings having been removed from the register and a further two added. Greater progress has been made in the reduction of the number of vulnerable buildings and in meeting the year one actions. 1 4. An action plan for year 2 has been developed and is contained within Appendix 4 of this report. Background 5. The Buildings at Risk Strategy 2012-2016 was adopted by the Executive Board in December 2011. Over the five year period the strategy seeks to meet the three strategic objectives of: (i) Reducing the number of buildings at risk; (ii) Managing Council assets to an appropriate standard; and (iii) Ensuring the value of the historic environment is appreciated and understood. 6. This report seeks to evaluate the progress made to date in meeting these objectives. Monitoring indicators, including baseline information, are included as Appendix 1. A full update on progress made against all year one actions is included as Appendix 2 and summarised below as follows: Objective One: Reduce the Number of Buildings at Risk 7. At the time of adoption 82 listed buildings were considered to be at risk from neglect and decay with a further 141 buildings considered to be in a vulnerable condition (these buildings could become ‘at risk’ if their condition is allowed to deteriorate). After year one, two buildings, the ice house at Llwyn Onn Hall and Llangwryd Ucahf and adjoining farm ranges, have been removed from the register as a result of repair and conversion to an alternative use. However two buildings, Capel Salem in Coedpoeth and a cast iron sign post at Hafod-y- Bwlch, have been added to the register. As a result the overall number of buildings at risk remains unchanged after year one. 8. The number of vulnerable buildings has been significantly reduced from 141 in 2011 to 128 as a result of works of repair and re-use. Structures removed from this list include the churchyard gates at St Giles Parish Church, the Cup and Saucer at Erddig and the Golden Lion Public House in Wrexham Town Centre. Further progress has also been made through the completion of year one actions as set out in Appendix 2 and summarised below as follows: Urgent works have been undertaken to buildings on the Plas Power Estate and at the Former Mines Rescue Centre. Buildings at Risk questionnaires were sent out to 18 properties in order that contact could be made with the owners. Meetings have subsequently been held with 6 property owners and schemes of repair are being progressed in respect of 3 buildings. Following discussions with the owners, schemes of repair are being developed for structures at Marchwiel Hall and New Sontley Farm. Prosecution proceedings were successfully brought in relation to unauthorised works at Lower Honkley Farmhouse. The Open Church Network are being supported in their efforts to 2 develop potential project and funding options in order to find a solution to the deteriorating condition of grave stones and monuments included on the register. Emergency recording was undertaken by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) of the Dymock Arms Public House. Further recording by the Commission is planned in relation to the Fenns Moss Peat Processing works. A structural engineers report has been updated for the Former Agents House, at the Brymbo Ironworks site. It is hoped that findings can be developed to enable necessary urgent works to the building. A feasibility study for the Brymbo Ironworks heritage area has been commissioned by the Brymbo Heritage Group Ltd. Listed Building Consent applications have been received in relation to the Dymock Arms, the Former Mines Rescue Centre and Cefn Bychan Baptist Chapel. Proposals have included for the repair and re-use of the building in each case. A visual inspection and photographic record of all at risk and vulnerable structures was completed in September 2012. Objective 2: Manage Council Owned Historic Assets to an Appropriate Standard 9. A visual inspection was completed during the summer of 2012 and the physical condition of the Council-owned ‘at risk’ and vulnerable structures assessed for signs of deterioration or improvement. At the time of its adoption, 7 Council owned buildings were listed by the Strategy as being ‘at risk’ from neglect and decay whilst a further 35 buildings were identified as being in a ‘vulnerable’ condition. Significant changes in condition have been identified as follows: Repair works undertaken to the Entrance Screen to the former drive of Acton Hall and at Pont Faen, Chirk, have ensured that these buildings are now considered to be in a reasonable state of repair and no longer categorised as vulnerable. The signpost at Hafod y Bwlch, formerly considered to be in a vulnerable condition, has been damaged by a vehicle strike and has been removed from its original location. This places the structure on the ‘at risk’ register. Further deterioration is noted in relation to the milestone opposite Queensbridge, Overton. Both of these former highway structures are considered to be functionally obsolete and not a financial priority, but with relatively minor expenditure small scale repairs could be undertaken which would remove these structures from the register. 10. As a result of the above mentioned changes in condition, the number of Council- owned listed buildings at risk after year one has increased to 8 whilst the number of ‘vulnerable’ buildings has been reduced to 32. 11. Further progress has been made through the implementation of the agreed Year One Action Plan. Key achievements are summarised as follows: A visual inspection and photographic record of all at risk and vulnerable Council owned buildings was completed in September 2012. 3 Capital funding has been allocated for repairs to the Fettling Shop roof at Bersham Ironworks. The preparation of a Conservation Management Plan for the Wrexham Cemetery is being progressed and funding options are being explored with the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw. Funding has been secured by the Welsh Georgian Trust to undertake an options appraisal for the future re-use of Plas Kynaston, Cefn Mawr. This work is currently being progressed in discussion with the Council. Funding has been secured from Cadw for reconsolidation of the stonework at Holt Castle. Archaeological excavations were completed at the site in September 2012. Objective 3: Ensure the Value of the Historic Environment is Appreciated and Understood 12. Key achievements in meeting this objective after year one are summarised as follows: The buildings at risk web page is currently being developed. Maintenance literature has been distributed to local estate agents and through conservation events. The need for regular maintenance has been promoted through participation in national events such as the Civic Trust Open Doors event and National Maintenance Week. Traditional Building Skills training courses have been held on the subjects of lime and stonework. Conclusions 13. After year one the number of buildings at risk remains unchanged but progress had been made through greater engagement with listed building owners and in developing schemes of repair and alteration for properties in private ownership as well as Council owned sites. A more rapid deterioration in the condition of certain properties is evident following survey work and inspections and therefore the use of statutory powers may be required in preventing further buildings becoming at greater risk. Small-scale repairs to Council owned assets, in particular redundant highway structures, are essential to ensure the strategy has credibility. Maintenance and Traditional Building Skills events have proved successful and will be continued and developed through the coming year. 14. Based upon these findings, a year two action plan has been developed and is included as Appendix 4. CONSULTATION Not applicable. 4 RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Committee notes the content of this report. BACKGROUND PAPERS Buildings at Risk Strategy 2012-2016. 5 APPENDIX 1 MONITORING AND REVIEW The Buildings at Risk Strategy 2012- 2016 will be assessed on an annual basis, its success or otherwise measured against the actions achieved as set out in the yearly action plan and quantitatively against the indicators set out in the table below. An annual progress report will be presented to the Planning Committee which will set out the following year’s actions. Monitoring Indicators Indicator Baseline October October October October October (August 2011) 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total No. Buildings at Risk 82 82 Total No. Vulnerable Buildings 141 128 No. Buildings at Risk in Private 75 74 Ownership No. Vulnerable Buildings in 106 95 Private Ownership No. Local Authority Buildings at 7 8 Risk No. Local Authority Vulnerable 35 33 Buildings No. Buildings at Grave Risk 14 13 (Cat. 1) No Buildings at Extreme Risk 2 2 (Cat.2) 6 APPENDIX 2 YEAR ONE ACTION PLAN & UPDATE OBJECTIVE 1: Reduce the Number of Buildings at Risk Property Actions Responsible Update Department Estate Buildings and Garden Structures Wynnstay, Ruabon Support Welsh Historic Gardens Trust Community Ongoing.