News - Solar panel bid warms up (Doncaster)

ONE of Doncaster’s landmark buildings could soon be getting a new look.

The owners of Hall Cross House, the first building on South Parade when entering the town centre, want to place 40 solar panels on the south-facing roof.

Because the Georgian office building is listed, special consent will be needed from Doncaster Council.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/green-scene/solar_panel_bid_warms_up_1_3990890

Good for them, although listed buildings need to be kept as close to original as possible we must still move with the times.

Save Doncaster Libraries - Doncaster libraries funding cut agreed

Council funding has been withdrawn from 14 of the 26 libraries in Doncaster.

Two libraries at Carcroft and Denaby will close on 1 November and volunteers are being sought to run 12 others as the council seeks to make savings.

However, Jill Johnson, a former head of library services in the town, said: "I think that in the long term these different kind of libraries will fail."

Mayor Peter Davies said: "I would argue that the libraries have not been working very well in the past."

The 26 libraries cost £5.26m a year to run, excluding the cost of maintenance.

Doncaster Council is currently trying to find savings of £80m over four years, as part of the cuts required by central government.

'Super-libraries'

During a heated council meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Davies said there was no other choice but to remove funding from the 14 libraries.

He said that would leave the council to focus its resources on 12 "super-libraries".

"Our policy now of making these 12 super-libraries more attractive and more pleasing for people to visit may well restore people's faith in libraries and, who knows, libraries in Doncaster may enjoy a renaissance."

Under the proposals Balby, Bawtry, Bessacarr, Edenthorpe, Intake, Moorends, Rossington, Scawthorpe, Sprotbrough, Stainforth, Warmsworth and Wheatley could all be community-led enterprises.

Ms Johnson, who was among a group of campaigners opposed to the library shake-up, said: "I think it is a very sad day, especially for these communities that are involved.

"I hope they are successful but my fear is that once the first flush of enthusiasm has worn off two or three years down the line that, in fact, they are not going to be sustainable."

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-15276602

 

EPIC FAIL!

News - Castle project aims to bring site to life for young people (Conisbrough)

HISTORY students at a secondary school have developed an exhibition tracing the history of a South Yorkshire castle to help other young visitors understand its importance as a heritage site.

A castle has stood in Conisbrough for almost 1,000 years and the current building, one of just a few Norman castles left in the UK, is over 800 years old.

Pupils from the town’s De Warenne Academy, which was named after a family which once lived the castle, worked on their displays with the help of English Heritage, which now runs the site.

A English heritage spokesman said: “Students have been concentrating on interpreting the castle’s history in ways which they feel will be appealing to young people.

“In so doing have been contributing their ideas regarding how they would like to see the castle interpreted in the future to proposals currently being prepared for the site.

Doncaster Council and English Heritage are currently working in partnership on a project to improve access to the castle.

It is hoped that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will provide a grant after the project passed the first stage of the HLF funding process last year.

De Warenne Academy principal Gill Pollard said: “This has been a fantastic experience for our students and has sparked a real interest in the field of archaeology.

“They have worked hard and the exhibition panels they have produced are very impressive”.

Residents wishing to find out more about the grant proposals, or say what they would like to see on offer at the castle, should contact Community Project Officer Sarah Hughes on 07788 918294.

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/castle_project_aims_to_bring_site_to_life_for_young_people_1_3857238

News - Thorne conservation area a priority for council

Listed properties in Thorne will not be allowed to keep going to rack and ruin. That is the message from Doncaster Council to their owners.

Following a meeting between Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Cynthia Ransome, and Thorne Ward Member, Councillor Martin Williams, the council is stepping up enforcement measures.

Councillor Ransome said: "Martin Williams has recently brought this issue to my attention. I agree completely that these historic properties cannot be allowed to disintegrate and spoil the appearance of the town centre.
"Many of the properties in Thorne have been granted planning permissions for alternative uses, but poor market conditions have meant that developers are holding back.

"The message is that owners cannot keep sitting on these properties without paying out for their upkeep."
Action currently being taken by the council includes:

• Actively seeking funding for the conservation area and working with property owners to find alternative uses for vacant buildings.

• The enforcement team has recently identified seven properties which have fallen into a bad state of disrepair. Officers are writing to the owners asking them to make repairs, should they fail to we will use legal powers compelling them to do so.

• Thorne Hall up for auction in the near future.

Councillor Martin Williams, Ward Member for Thorne, said: "Bringing these buildings back into use is essential to the regeneration of the town.

"Having met with Councillor Ransome and senior officers I am hopeful that we will now see action being taken."

From: http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/db/enews/article.asp?Archive=&CatID=31&Art=4601

News - Concerns as hall sale bid falls down (Thorne)

DONCASTER Council could face legal action if Thorne Hall is allowed to go to ruin.

The Grade II listed landmark failed to sell at auction in London this week after no-one met the reserve price of £300,000.

Auctioneers Lambert Smith had said there was considerable interest the building.

But Thorne councillor Martin Williams is concerned the building is still facing an uncertain future and is planning a meeting with lawyers.

He said: “I think the next step should be to put it up for auction somewhere in Yorkshire, to see what happens if it goes on the market in this region.

“It is a Grade II listed building and it needs protection. I am meeting a planning barrister next month to discuss it.

“The council cannot take itself to court if the building is not maintained, but I may look into it. But my first option would be to try to sell it locally. I don’t think leaving it to become neglected is a good example to set.”

The building has been out of use for around five years, since it ceased to used as an area housing office.

Coun Williams believes it may cost anyone who takes over the building around £1 million to renovate it.

Director of Regeneration and Environment Peter Dale said: “Thorne Hall failed to sell at auction on Monday despite being advertised nationally.

“Since the auction we have arranged another viewing and it remains available for sale.

“We are committed to selling Thorne Hall, but any buyer will have to abide by the terms of its Grade II listing.

“The hall will be put up for auction again in the autumn.”

Save Doncaster Libriaries - Library aid group formed (Bawtry)

Volunteers who have registered an interest in helping to run Bawtry Library to save it from closure by Doncaster Council as part of its borough-wide budget cuts attended a meeting with library officials.

The meeting agreed that the name of the newly-formed steering committee would be Bawtry Community Library group and that it will look into the work that needs to be done and the action that needs to be taken for the group to potentially take on the running of the library as a charity.

Coun George Spencer was elected chairman and Coun Vivienne Wilcox his deputy.

From http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/library_aid_group_formed_1_3557985

Event - Take a stroll back in time (Doncaster

evening heritage walks have been organised by Doncaster Council so working people can enjoy them.

Staff from the Tourist Information Centre hold regular walks on the first Friday morning of every month, which offer visitors a chance to take in historic building such as the Mansion House, see the remains of the Roman wall and hear tales from Doncaster’s rich history.

Now special Summer Heritage walks are planned to leave the Tourist Information Centre on High Street at 6pm on Wednesday, July 27, and Wednesday, August 27, and cost £3 per person.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/lifestyle/take_a_stroll_back_in_time_1_3514765

News - Historic mansion to go under the hammer (Thorne Hall)

THE auction date for an historic mansion in Yorkshire has finally been set.

Thorne Hall in Doncaster will go under the hammer next month.

After a false start earlier this year, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has now given the go ahead for Lambert Smith Hampton to proceed to auction on July 11.

Thorne Hall is a Grade II listed mansion built around 1815 by a local farmer, enjoying open views over Thorne Park and containing various architectural features, including a cantilevered stone staircase

From: http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/180168-historic-mansion-to-go-under-the-hammer.html?news_section=7