A historic Grantham cottage that was once home to plague victims is to be preserved as a Grade II Listed Building after being highlighted by South Kesteven District Council.The Pest House on Manthorpe Road, one of only six of its kind in England, was built in 1584 to isolate people who suffered from serious illnesses.The SKDC application for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to list the property was supported by local historians from Grantham Civic Society.A spokesperson for the Council said: “This is good news as it means any alteration would need special permission. As it was, it could even have been demolished and only the normal planning regulations would apply.“It is now another part of Grantham which is being protected for future generations.”Civic Society treasurer Ruth Crook added: “Any effort to preserve the heritage of Grantham is very good news. So much of old Grantham has disappeared over the years, during Victorian times and then … [Read more...] about “Plague” house is preserved as a listed building in Grantham
Heritage listed buildings
Swansea’s famous Big Apple is now a listed building
Some say it looks like a huge concrete Pac-Man, others associate it with an ice cream and a summer stroll at Bracelet Bay. The Big Apple has been one of Swansea's most recognisable landmarks for generations, and now it has been given listed status by Welsh Government heritage body Cadw. The green and red kiosk joins other grade two-listed buildings in Swansea like St Mary's Church in the city centre, the J Shed in SA1, and Manor Park Country House in Clydach. Cadw said it had listed the elliptical concrete building for "its special architectural interest as a rare and unusual example of a seaside refreshment kiosk". It added: "Important also for its historic interest for being an iconic feature from the heyday of seaside entertainment and the tourist attractions of Mumbles." The kiosk was built in the early 1930s to promote a cider brand called Cidertone. Others materialised in coastal towns in the UK, including Porthcawl. Mumbles historian John Powell said the Bracelet Bay kiosk was … [Read more...] about Swansea’s famous Big Apple is now a listed building
New jobs in old buildings: the North East firms making listed buildings into brilliant offices
Historic buildings around the North East are finding a new lease of life as modern offices. Coreena Ford finds out how listed buildings can be transformed by imaginative developers. Newcastle’s historic heart - with one of the UK’s first conservation areas, and Grey Street voted the best road in the country - is also a major centre of employment. The last 18 months have seen Grey Street and the Grainger Town conservation area in particular has been targeted by local, national and international investors and developers who are proving that the protections on Grade I and Grade II listed buildings should not stop historic properties becoming modern offices. Conversions of historic buildings in the city centre are part of a growing trend. Historic England published a report last December showing the numbers of commercial businesses operating from listed buildings in key UK citiess had grown 50% since 2012, with then Heritage Minister Michael saying that “the increase … [Read more...] about New jobs in old buildings: the North East firms making listed buildings into brilliant offices
Damage to Bexhill listed building an act of ‘mindless vandalism’
Damage to a listed building on Bexhill seafront has been described as an act of mindless vandalism. The Grade II listed structure on De La Warr Parade was damaged over the weekend of March 16 and 17.The support post, decorative wooden panels and bench in the seafront shelter, which was built in 1896, were damaged, according to police.A Rother District Council spokesman said: “This is one of the oldest seafront shelters, which once served as a bandstand and has many original features. As such, it is an important part of Bexhill’s heritage.“The damage to the shelter would appear to be an act of mindless vandalism and we would urge anyone with information relating to these incidents to contact the police as soon as possible so further damage can be prevented and the perpetrators brought to justice.“We have completed minor repairs to ensure the shelter remains safe for use, including securing a pillar which was sawn through and replacing a broken window … [Read more...] about Damage to Bexhill listed building an act of ‘mindless vandalism’
Norfolk’s newest listed building is a Kwik Fit garage
PUBLISHED: 13:07 18 March 2019 | UPDATED: 13:07 18 March 2019 The Kwik Fit garage in King's Lynn set to become a listed building Picture: Chris Bishop Archant Its built heritage is famed worldwide, from its towering churches to its Custom House and St George’s Guildhall. One of Britain's earliest reinforced concrete buildings stands in King's Lynn near the police station Picture: Chris BishopAnd King’s Lynn’s newest listed building is a Kwik Fit garage, described as one of Britain’s oldest reinforced concrete structures.The building, off St James Street, has just been listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England, in recognition of its historic and architectural importance.It say the former showroom, warehouse and offices of the Building Material Company Ltd was built in 1908 by the Bardell Brothers of King’s Lynn. They used a pioneering technique, constructing one of the earliest reinforced … [Read more...] about Norfolk’s newest listed building is a Kwik Fit garage