Told you so, didn’t I? The canopy over the High Street entrance to The Corridor – currently wrapped in scaffolding and daubed hoarding- is waiting for planning permission before they can get on and repair it!
I have just read the application in the B&NES planning list.
Here’s an excerpt:
“The glass entrance Canopy is in an extremely bad condition. It is badly degraded and unsafe, and is currently shrouded in scaffolding and timber encasements.
Whilst this is a necessary public safety requirement, it is causing significant harm to the businesses at 18 and 19 High Street.
The application proposal seeks to remove, repair and refurbish and reinstate the existing glass entrance Canopy over the eastern entrance into The Corridor at no.’s 18-19 High Street.”
Further down in the Listed Building application, it states:
“The application area relates to the 1927 glass entrance canopy and the structural ties into the facade of the building.
Whilst the Canopy is not described in detail within the Listing description, it does form an intrinsic part of the architectural, social and artistic heritage of The Corridor, one of the oldest retail arcades in the UK.
Although added c.100 years later it announces the eastern entrance into The Corridor to guide shoppers into the retail space, added c.100 years later it announces the eastern entrance into The Corridor to guide shoppers into the retail space, and acts as protection from inclement weather.
It is therefore acknowledged that it contributes to the special interest of the building’s facade.”
interest of the building’s facade.”
Let’s hope planning permission is swiftly granted to allow work to get underway asap!!
PS. Marks and Spencer also had an application for signage for their new store in Southgate.
Remember – they are taking over the old Debenhams site, so it looks like things are starting to move there too!
Could this not be handed over to English Heritage, or an historical restoration organisation, or lead-glass experts, as a wonderful real-life project for them to work on & for their apprentices & scholarly learning?
Surely someone in the UK would say yes to this? [And Council…. get the camera shot of that graffiti yobbo & give them the job of clearing up on site daily, during the project].
This maybe a stupid question (almost certainly is) but why would you need planning permission to refurbish and repair an existing structure. Isn’t that planning gone mad?!