ITEM NO. 5A

Committee: PLANNING

Date of Meeting: 17 January 2007

Title of Report: N/2006/1194 Station Road, Birkdale (Birkdale Ward)

Proposal: Conservation Area Consent for the removal of the existing platform canopies on both sides of the railway

Applicant: Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Executive Summary

This is an application for Conservation Consent. The key issue for consideration is the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The evidence submitted indicates that the extent of the damage to the existing structure and the efforts required to maintain the canopies are such that replacement on a like-for-like basis is justified.

Recommendation(s) Approval

Approve, subject to the expiry of the site notice and press advertisement.

Justification

It is considered that sufficient justification has been submitted to warrant the replacement of the existing canopies. However, in order to preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, the canopies must be replaced on a like-for-like basis.

Conditions

1. T5 - Time limit - listed building 2. Prior to the commencement of any demolition works herby permitted, full details of the proposed replacement canopies including design, materials and colours, shall be submitted to and approved in writing with the Local Planning Authority. The replacement canopies shall then be reconstructed in full accordance with the approved details within 6 months of their demolition.

Reasons

1. RT5 2. To preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and to comply with Sefton UDP policy HC2

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Drawing Numbers

RL06/143/SK2A, RL06/143/SK3/A, RL06/143/SK4/A, RL06/143/SK5/A, RL06/143/SK11/A, RL06/143/SK12/A, RL06/143/SK13/A, RL06/143/SK14/A, RL06/143/SK15/A, RL06/143./SK16/A, RL06/143/SK17/A & location plan

Financial Implications

2006/ 2007/ 2008/ 2009/ CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2007 2008 2009 2010 £ £ £ £ Gross Increase in Capital Expenditure

Funded by:

Sefton Capital Resources

Specific Capital Resources REVENUE IMPLICATIONS

Gross Increase in Revenue Expenditure

Funded by:

Sefton funded Resources

Funded from External Resources Does the External Funding have an expiry date? Y/N When? How will the service be funded post expiry?

List of Background Papers relied upon in the preparation of this report

History referred to Policy referred to

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The Site

Birkdale railway station set within the Birkdale Village Conservation Area.

Proposal

Conservation Area Consent for the removal of the existing platform canopies on both sides of the railway.

The existing canopies are constructed of slender decortaed iron pillars supporting a series of pitched roof canopies constructed of timber and glass. It is intended to replace the existing structures with canopies of the same appearance and materials.

History

None relevant to this proposal

Consultations

None

Neighbour Representations

Last date for replies: 11 January 2007

32 letters of objection, including Councillors Byrom, Pearson and Watson, John Pugh MP, Birkdale Civic Society and Birkdale Business Village Partnership, on the following grounds:

• The station is important in a sensitive location • The structure adds character to the area and has been a landmark for 200 years • It is one of the few stations with canopies • Is it necessary for the canopies to be demolished? They should be retained and restored. • They must be saved and repaired or replace in its existing style • If the canopies are removed, the station box will follow, and another piece of local history will vanish • This is another nail in the coffin of out Victorian heritage • Weather protection is needed for passengers. Many older people live nearby and need the canopies. To be without them would make the stay at the station bad for them. • The canopies are a vital part of the appearance of the station. Preserving our heritage is essential to the future of our town as a ‘classic resort’. They create a sense of ‘yesteryear’. • Removing the canopies would be an act of vandalism • The application was submitted over Christmas to reduce the number of objections • If any residential owner tried to do this they would be refused. • Birkdale Village is Victorian and although we must move with the times we must strive to keep our heritage

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• The charm, look and character of Birkdale village would be affected by this application. What is the rationale behind this demolition? Is it to reduce maintenance costs or reduce the use of the platforms and ultimately station closure? • The only beneficiary shall be a reduction in maintenance charges for Railtrack. If everything of value is demolished in order to save costs we shall be left with no heritage to pass onto future generations. • This is a Conservation Area not a demolition area • The canopies are historical in nature and add character to the area • Lets convert these buildings in a style which enhances the buildings and the village, do not destroy more of the village’s heritage • The buildings and canopies compliment and integrate with each other. Severn valley railway at Worcester have installed newly built canopies at a cost of £2.5 million • English Heritage states that ‘generally there is a presumption in favour of retaining buildings which make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area’. The canopies make a positive contribution. • This should not even have been asked for. • Object to any but minor changes to the present design of the canopies. The Victorian aspect of the station is a significant factor in the Conservation Area and restrictions must be put in place to ensure no potential for change in the future • The canopies form an historical link with the building of Birkdale Railway Station in the mid 1850’s and are an important asset to the Conservation Area. The timber and glass canopies must be replaced ‘like for like’. • Southport and adjoining villages are under the blanket of Sefton losing its identity. If the canopies are removed we will be losing more buildings and identity.

Policy

The application site is situated in an area allocated as District Centre and is designated as part of the Birkdale Village Conservation Area on the Council’s Adopted Unitary Development Plan.

HC2 DEMOLITION IN LISTED BUILDINGS AND DEMOLITION IN CONSERVATION AREAS

Comments

The application is for Conservation Area consent for the demolition of the existing canopies. The reconstruction of the canopies is permitted development in accordance with part 17A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 and as such it is not necessary for an application for planning permission to be submitted.

The key issue for consideration is the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

Policy HC2 states that it must be demonstrated that the cost of repairing and maintaining the ‘building’ (or structure) outweighs its importance and the economic value from its continued use and that efforts have been made to continue its present use. Proposals will only be permitted where the ‘building’ (or structure) makes no positive contribution to the character of appearance of the Conservation Area. Page 5 ITEM NO. 5A

Evidence submitted by the applicants agent states that the severity of wet rot and decay in the timbers is such that wholesale replacement of the canopies is considered to be the most appropriate option. If the existing canopies were to be repaired, there would be a need for significantly more maintenance, each time requiring the operation of trains to be halted. It is intended to repair the existing cast iron columns and re-use these once they have undergone protective treatment.

The existing canopies make a significant contribution to the character of this part of the Birkdale Conservation Area in terms of their style and detailing. However, it is accepted that they are in need of substantial repair and that their replacement can be argued to be necessary given the extent of damage to the timbers and difficulties experienced in repairing and maintaining the repaired structures.

Given the prominence and importance of the canopies as part of the character of the surrounding Conservation Area, the proposed replacement canopies must be on a like-for- like basis in terms of the design and style of the canopies, materials used and colours. Whilst this has been confirmed by the applicant’s agent, it is considered necessary that full plans and details of the replacement canopies must be submitted to and approved in writing.

In response to some objections, it should be noted that the canopies are not listed.

Contact Officer: Mr P Hardwicke Telephone 0151 934 2201

Case Officer: Mrs A Dimba Telephone 0151 934 2202

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