Council demands action to safeguard historic building at gateway to Lancaster

Friday, 19 May 2023 11:08

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The former Revolution building in Lancaster

Further action is being taken to safeguard a closed-down historic building at the gateway to Lancaster.

Lancaster City Council has served a Listed Building Notice on the owner of the Alexandra Hotel at the top of Penny Street.

Located at 107 Penny Street, the Grade II listed building was built in 1902 as the Alexandra Hotel, and was most recently home to a Revolution bar, which closed in 2014, and prior to that, The Alex pub and nightspot, and The Catholic Social Club.

A spokesperson for Lancaster City Council said: “A Listed Building Notice was served on those with an interest in the Grade II listed Alexandra Hotel in relation to the unlawful removal of windows.

"The LPA (Local Planning Authority) considered this action to be expedient given these works are resulting in the ongoing deterioration of the Listed Building and are detrimental to its historic character. The notice requires the original windows to be reinstated, and repaired where damage has been caused during the removal process.”

This recent photo shows a window missing from the middle floor of the property and several boarded up windows on the top floor.

In November the council said they had served notice on the owner to make the building weatherproof. At that time there were several windows missing from the top floor of the property (see our photo below, taken in November 2022). Shortly afterwards, they were boarded up.

A council spokesperson said: "An Urgent Works Notice was served last year with the purpose of preventing further deterioration to the grade II listed former public house as a result of the removal of windows which had left the building open to the elements.

"The notice was required to keep the building wind and weather proof and safe from collapse. Initially the works specified in the notice were carried out. However as the materials used proved insufficient, the owner was then instructed to use stronger boarding. Upon completion of these works the council were satisfied that the building had been made weather proof.

"Since then the owner has not reinstated the windows and this has been addressed through the Listed Building Enforcement Notice."

In 2021, a listed building planning application went in for a major renovation of the building, including external repairs to the roof, windows, doors, guttering and masonry, alterations to layout including the removal of an existing staircase, removal of existing and installation of new internal door and walls, repairs to walls, ceilings, flooring and insulation, and installation of new plumbing, electrics, sound proofing and plastering.

There was also a 'change of use' application for a ground floor "drinking establishment" and first and second floor hotel.

Lancaster City Council refused the applications, saying the proposals contained "insufficient information to enable proper consideration of the impact of proposed works on the character, appearance, fabric and setting of the listed building and Conservation Area".

Amended plans have since been submitted and are pending a decision from the council.

"With regards to the pending planning applications these are still pending consideration and the case officer is working with the applicant to address the concerns of the Local Planning Authority," said a council spokesperson.

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