News - Historic Newstead abbey is on the critical list

WORLD famous Newstead Abbey has been named as one of 67 endangered heritage sites around the world.

The World Monuments Fund says the abbey, the ancestral home of Romantic poet Lord Byron, is on its 2012 World Monuments Watch List and needs restoration.

Experts from the organisation say the historic building has suffered significant deterioration and a long-term strategy is needed for its maintenance and conservation.

They also believe the community would benefit from a ‘renewed interpretation’ of its historic links to Byron.

Earlier this year, Nottingham City Council approved plans to close it except on certain days.

And Newstead Abbey Byron Society (NABS) chairman Ken Purslow said that while the abbey’s inclusion on the list should be welcomed, it ‘isn’t helping Newstead a scrap’.

He said: “Although it’s going to highlight the problems that are there, I can’t see where the city council is going to get the money from - that’s the tragedy of it all.”

He also wants the abbey run by a consortium of authorities, such as Nottinghamshire County Council and Gedling Borough Council, rather than just Nottingham City Council to boost investment.

“It’s time we had a consortium of councils to put some resources into it to make it what it should be - a jewel in the crown of Nottingham,” he said.

Cathie Clarke, who is project manager at East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Built Environment, nominated Newstead Abbey for the list and is optimistic it will lead to further investment - particularly because Byron is so iconic.

She said: “It is suffering because of the economy and the city council is in a difficult position because they don’t just have one Grade I* listed building and they have limited resources.

“They have to put their funding where it is most needed, so the building has not been maintained to the level which would be best.”

But she stressed fresh ideas and an emphasis on the abbey’s connections with Byron could be key to securing its future.

Coun Dave Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and tourism, said he welcomed the news.

“I hope its inclusion will elevate the importance and profile of the site to new bodies and benefactors who may be able to help with the development of Newstead Abbey,” he said.

“Like all councils, we have been faced with severe Government cuts and this has meant that difficult decisions on resources have had to be taken.

“Last year we adopted a new business model to run Newstead which strikes a good balance of continuing to make the house and grounds accessible to the public, within the constraints of smaller budgets, while meeting our obligations to maintain this important heritage site.

“We would welcome any opportunity for external funding which could help to develop the site and secure its future for generations to come.”

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/web_poll_historic_newstead_abbey_is_on_the_critical_list_1_3864004

News - Papplewick conservation appraisal is completed

A FINAL decision is looming on a scheme designed to preserve the history and image of picturesque Papplewick.

Gedling Borough Council announced last year that it wanted to extend a conservation area in the village.

It launched a Conservation Area Appraisal to gauge public opinion on the plan because it would result in new developments and the restriction of certain changes to homes

A consultation was organised and a public meeting was held in the village last month.

That consultation ended on Thursday last week and now council officers are sifting through the results. These will be presented to a steering group on Thursday April 14.

If approved, any changes to the conservation status in Papplewick will be brought in during the summer.

Six of the borough’s villages have conservation areas, including Papplewick and neighbouring Linby. Gedling says it has a duty to protect them to ensure that their appearance is preserved or enhanced.

The Conservation Area Appraisal is designed to identify special areas or buildings that should be protected.

In medieval times, Papplewick marked the southern gateway to Sherwood Forest, In 2002, it was crowned Nottinghamshire’s best-kept village in the category of those with 200 to 500 homes. It currently has a population of about 650.

Within the current conservation area, which was created in 1973, are 18th-century cottages and the historic Papplewick Hall.

From: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/community/papplewick_conservation_appraisal_is_completed_1_3219106

News - Residents launch campaign to save historic building in Arnold

RESIDENTS have launched a campaign to save one of Arnold's "few historically valuable buildings".

The Post reported last August how residents were trying to turn the former Church Drive Primary School into a community centre.

The proposal was led by Gedling Community and Voluntary Services (CVS), but due to funding cuts has now been deemed impossible.

The school, in Church Lane, closed in 2008, with pupils moving to the new Arnold Mill Primary.

An application to English Heritage for the building to be listed was turned down.

But Bob Massey, vice-chairman of Arnold Local History Group, said the school was one of only two in the country to feature a special head teacher's balcony which enabled the head to overlook the school hall and see into each classroom.

Mr Massey added: "It's one of the very few buildings left in Arnold that's of historic value.

"It was designed in the 19th century by architect William Herbert Higginbottom, who designed a lot of buildings for the community all over Nottingham, and this is one of his few buildings that's left. The school should be preserved in order to have something in his memory."

The building's owner, Notts County Council, is selling the building and the sale deadline is April 5.

The council has recognised it as a "significant undesignated heritage asset" and says buyers will be encouraged to preserve the historic aspects of the building.

But residents are disappointed that the council has not taken more drastic steps to save the building and fear it could be demolished.

Mr Massey said: "Whoever buys it, can do whatever they like with it. They could just knock it down."

Pauline Taylor, 63, of Arnold, led the campaign to turn the former school into a community centre.

But she said: "We haven't got the funding now. Gedling CVS have had their budget slashed, so they can no longer help us."

She said the group was collecting signatures for a petition to be handed into Gedling Borough Council as soon as a developer applied for planning permission.

She added: "We are ready to fight."

Conservative borough councillor Sally Mason-Kempster said the campaign to save the building had her backing as well as the support of the local arts and history group.

She said the petition had been signed by around 500 residents.

"But I think we could easily achieve 1,000," she added.

Paul Fearnley, the county council's principal surveyor, said: "The county council recognises that the former Church Drive School building is a 'significant undesignated heritage asset' and we will be working closely with our heritage building experts prior to accepting any tenders.

"We will also encourage all potential buyers to consider the viability of re-using the building."

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Residents-launch-campaign-save-historic-building-Arnold/article-3274913-detail/article.html