Stanley Dock-Lets Hope This New Scheme Is Not Hot Air.

The Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse has lay rotting for over 50 years.
It can be restored, I recall playing as a child in the open space that was the Albert Dock. Fishing for Flatties. Strolling amongst the grand ruins wondering why.
How many false dawns have we heard to get this historic landmark, a listed building.
Wasn't it Urban Splash that were about to do a scheme, our heritage saviours who really did cock up Park Hill along with English Heritage and their Chief Exec Dr Simon Thurley.

The Tobacco Warehouse Standing 125 foot (38m) high, the building was at the time of its construction, in 1901, also claimed to be the world's largest building in terms of area. Its construction used 27m bricks, 30,000 panes of glass and 8,000 tons of steel. It was designed by AG Lyster, the Dock Engineer, but Arthur Berrington almost certainly played a part.
The distinctive tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock is the world’s largest brick warehouse.


English Heritage call it a travesty and keep it snug on the EH "At Risk" Register.
Even Dr Simon Thurley comes out of his Ivory Tower to say how important the Industrial Heritage is to the country.
Despite allowing Manchester Dock to be destroyed that predated the Albert Dock by 60 years.
English Heritage said that listed industrial buildings were more at risk than almost any other kind of historic site. This was said, In a general comment press pack, Alan Weston slots it into a story he did on October 19th 2011 http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/10/19/liverpool-s-stanley-dock-included-in-english-heritage-at-risk-list-92534-29619805/
He writes: Chief executive Simon Thurley said action was needed to save what he called the “world’s most important industrial heritage”.
The decision to focus on industrial heritage is backed by a poll of public attitudes, which revealed that 86% believed it was important to value and appreciate buildings such as mills and collieries, and 80% thought they were as important as country houses and castles.
Dr Thurley said there were many reasons for people to be passionate about industrial heritage. He added: “Part of it is family ties, there are so many people whose families have been involved in these industries.
“Many of the buildings are extremely prominent in their locations, such as big chimneys or big buildings, and people acquire affection for things around them.”


So two weeks later after it was announced as a "At Risk" building a  fresh press pack from Malcolm (let's regenerate my political career) Kennedy hits the local press.
In which a plan is announced to renovate it and its area.
But there is controversy last nights BBC Northwest News said there was a problem that need more explaining. http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b016p50v/ They said 10 minutes 42 into the article that the Regional Growth Fund Members had recieved millions.
In Parliament questions were asked about the RG fund which decides were the cash goes.
The BBC alleges one of the recipients that was co-owned by a panel member that decides were the the fund goes and that it is said is, RedX Pharma.
The Government said that a panel member has declared an interest but played no part..............apparently.
The Eldonian village will get a new power station so they are to remain silent to any of the new developments.  http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/02/eldonians-rose-like-a-phoenix-from-flames-92534-29703573/ The first two projects for immediate delivery are the mixed use redevelopment of the landmark former tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock and a low carbon combined heat and energy plant and work space by the Eldonians. David Bartlett says.Far more delving into this scheme needs to be done and it looks like the local papers will not do that.



http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/01/stanley-dock-rebirth-at-heart-of-130m-cash-boost-for-north-liverpool-92534-29695756/
Instead they anounce another dawn for the derelict area........in a recession, that apparantly has funding?
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/02/stanley-dock-plan-developer-revealed-as-harcourt-developments-builder-of-new-titanic-attraction-in-belfast-92534-29703575/
It is now announced that a Titanic Theme Park Developer is to transorm the redundant warehouse.

Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism, said it was great news that would act as a catalyst for further development.


“It will give a major impetus to the regeneration of the area and to the green energy agenda which will benefit the city as a whole. This approval provides the bridge between the transformed city centre and the tremendous investment opportunities in North Liverpool.”

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/liverpool-daily-post/2011/11/01/stanley-dock-scheme-the-key-to-north-s-revival-92534-29695673/ Lets hope they dont have

The City Fringe Programme for north Liverpool is intended to provide an investment strategy for the area between Liverpool city centre and the Liverpool Waters Enterprise Zone to ensure future employment growth while the regeneration of this area proceeds.


It includes plans to revamp the junction of Leeds Street and Great Howard Street to breakdown the physical barrier between the city centre and the more industrial area to the north.

English Heritage-Its Like The Goon Show In There.

Last night on the BBC was a re-run of a series originally broadcast to show off the work that the English Heretics do, and, to be a showcase for its then Chairman, the Little Lord Fonteroy of a director, their very own Saville Row Bazooka Joe, Dr Simon Thurley.
Instead it exposed the sham facade that is English Heritage to be nothing more than a incompetent bunch of Hooray Henry's sneering down their noses like condescending little balloons. As it where!
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00k89m5/English_Heritage_Romancing_the_Stone/
Here is where they, at the ministry destroy a building
You have to watch it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00k7x6c
The Ministry of country walks showing just how dumb they are.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/dr-simon-thurley-and-restoration-of.html
Here is what I wrote about it at the time.

Next weeks is even worse. Basil Thurley sets out to build a historic garden as a present for his wife, with our money despite there being no evidence that there was ever one there. Here is the original review.
  http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/simon-thurley-chief-english-heretic.html
It seems to be the Heritics make up their own rules.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/07/english-heritage-dumber-and-dummer.html
While allowing the destruction of Liverpools world heritage site.
 http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/06/english-heretics-report-what-load-of.html
While complaining of how difficult a job they have.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/07/henry-owen-john-same-old-english.html

Now there are secret meetings with Peel Holdings where deals are already being done behind closed doors.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/07/liverpool-waters-english-heritage-hold.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/07/joe-anderson-backs-peel-holdings-wirral.html
Where ex English Heretic employees now are ...advisors http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/04/who-polices-heritage-police.html

Henry Owen John-Same Old English Heritage Rubbish.

ECONOMIC cutbacks mean the outlook is bleak for a range of Merseyside buildings deemed “at risk” by English Heritage in its latest report.
Here is last years report http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/06/english-heretics-report-what-load-of.html So whats new.


Among the areas highlighted in the heritage watchdog’s register for 2010 is Liverpool’s Duke Street conservation area. Alan Weston writes. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/07/08/cutbacks-pose-risk-to-liverpool-and-merseyside-s-historic-sites-and-beauty-spots-warns-english-heritage-92534-26808322/
 In its new Heritage at Risk register, English Heritage uses Duke Street as an example of a development which was particularly badly hit by the recession.

It said: “Many sites remain compromised by recent unsustainable property values which can no longer be achieved, resulting in significant conservation deficits for a range of potential development sites.
“Without a continuation of substantial heritage-based regeneration funding, or a reversal in the economic climate, it will be particularly challenging to achieve a positive outcome for a range of key sites in the near future.”
A new addition to the English Heritage list of buildings at risk is the Grade II*-listed Greenbank Drive Synagogue, a 1930s art-deco building in Sefton Park.
The synagogue is now closed as a place of worship, but the local congregation still own and are looking to sell the building.
The report says it is “in need of substantial renovation and repair works to the historic fabric”.
English Heritage also highlighted the condition of Anfield cemetery – sometimes known as Liverpool cemetery – as “generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems”.

Despite this report English Heretics put up no fight to Liverpool City Council giving away the GradeII listed Stanley Park.

A number of other landmark buildings in Liverpool city centre remain on the “at risk” register, such as St Luke’s church at the top of Bold Street; the Wellington Rooms, in Mount Pleasant; the Royal Insurance building, in North John Street; the Church of St Andrew, in Rodney Street; the Church of St James, in St James’s Place; and the Stanley Dock north warehouse.

So whats new there the same old at risk register gets brought out again while the same old regional development director Henry Owen John, who has behaved, in my opinion more like a spiv spouts the same old story again while his boss Neil Cossons working for Liverpool Museums gave away the world heritage site http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/sir-neil-cossons.html While Peter de Frigerido now enjoys working for Peel holdings  http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/04/who-polices-heritage-police.html
And they give us the http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/wellington-rooms-liverpools-buildings.html same old same old Mr Owen John... The Wellington Rooms.... St James Church.... http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/st-james-church-liverpools-heritage-at.html
St Andrews http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/st-andrews-church-rodney-st-liverpools.html The Royal Insurance on Dale Street that David  http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/liverpools-heritage-at-risk-royal.html That David Bartlet said was a mess http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/06/dale-street-blues-stinky-ink-finally.html
English Heritage said it would now be concentrating its resources on “stopping the rot” by arresting any further decay in significant historic places, so they can take advantage of any future economic growth.



 
Maybe if the little Lord Thurley who runs English Heretics had any idea what he was doing and stopped wasting money we would all have a chance
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/07/english-heritage-dumber-and-dummer.html
 
Henry Owen-John, North West regional director for English Heritage, said: “The combination of the economic downturn and an unfavourable exchange rate which reduces the value of European funding are factors in building projects either not being started or completed.”
 
As it happens you need to stop the rot at English Heritage who have watched while a billion pounds of European Objective One money was spent on amongst other things, building new apartments in the World heritage Blight while English Heretics funded John Hinchliffe to do nothing to protect it. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/john-hinchliffe-liverpools-world.html
 
Here is one we did earlier
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/henry-owen-john-english-heretic.html

English Heritage-Dumber and Dummer

The Condescending Little Lord Thurley at English Heritage has ordered a rewrite of the guides to their historic sites to ensure that they can be read by someone with a reading age of a 10 year old....him.
Recently he read a old book that said there may have been a grand garden at Kennilworth Castle and decided there was, without a scrap of concrete evidence and set out to recreate it with several millions of mine and your taxpayers money to the bemusement of a BBC TV crew and the whole nation laughing their darned socks off.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/simon-thurley-chief-english-heretic.html
Dumber and Dummer. Now the Heretics say;
“We need to go to the lowest common denominator without dumbing down and getting facts wrong. We aim for a reading age of 10-11, and we would put it in a very simple, attractive way, with text that is easy to understand.” Said someone from the Properties access group.
Heritage staff have also begun bussing in visitor groups from working-class backgrounds, to get their feedback. At 17th-century Bolsover Castle, the visitors took great interest in the skills of the craftsmen who built it. In future, signs interpreting the site will emphasise the roles of working-class people, such as stonemasons and saddlemakers.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6727713.ece


Maybe the Saville Row "Bazooka Joe" is now regretting spending all our dosh on Faulty Towers http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/dr-simon-thurley-and-restoration-of.html and maybe he realises if you turn a heritage site into a cafe for the masses that's where the money is. The real people who he needs to make it simple for, are his own staff who cant understand what the word Conservation Area means or World Heritage Site.
I recently interviewed Thurley-gig at a EH book launch at the now ruined Bluecoat........well when I say interviewed him, I had him by the lapel (who is his tailor putting a DB lapel on a SB suit is really not done old boy) asking him how his operatives at the Ministry of out of touch, Ivory tower dwellers looking after Liverpool did not read or understand their own guidelines and instead of protecting us they have assisted in the despoilment of our World Heritage Site, right under his nose. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/bluecoat-tradgedy.html
He was rescued by the Diviot I was talking about and scurried away unable to understand or unwilling to comprehend the continuing problems that we have here in Liverpool with a team who are more interested to sucking up to developers than truthfully advising them as to the principles of Good Conservation. Goodbye its nice to put a face to the name Mr Colquhoun he said as he slipped away leaving me with Liverpool's very own English Heretic. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/henry-owen-john-english-heretic.html
IN COMMON SPEAK MR THURLEY YOU ARE A CONDESCENDING LITTLE HOORAY HENRY. What about the heritage of the English language

English Heritage Conservation Area At Risk Report-Double Glazing or Double Standards

Here is one that fell down earlier while English Heretics are trying to do a public relations exercise. See Nemesis blog for another view. http://nemesisrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/06/conservation-areas-at-risk-well-that.html


http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/upvc-windows-killing-conservation-areas/5203935.article

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/search/label/Ferry%20Terminal A huge double glazed dormer window on the Pier Head. Where was EH then.

Call me cynical but isn't it strange that this press release from EH is the exact day that Unesco start their World Heritage Committee meeting in Seville.


Today's Daily Post says that English Heritage are now going to stop those nasty plastic windows in Conservation areas. Liverpool's Pier Head was a Conservation area!!!! Look what they allowed there!!!!

The picture on the right shows how the integration makes the old look alien in Duke Street part of the WHS. We do not have to worry about plassy windows on the one on the left because English Heritage allowed it to fall down.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/music/music-news/2009/06/23/english-heritage-report-lists-merseyside-s-historic-sites-at-risk-92534-23947259/ Vicky Anderson says
English Heritage report lists Merseyside's historic sites at risk.
HISTORIC and distinctive sites across Merseyside have been deemed "at risk", according to the latest report by English Heritage – an extensive survey of the country’s protected conservation areas.
From Churchtown, just outside Southport, to the iconic Hamilton Square, in Birkenhead, much-loved areas of the region make the list.
In Liverpool, Sefton Park, Wavertree Village and the city centre Ropewalks area around Seel Street are among the places shown to be in trouble.
Just over half of the North West’s local authorities (53%) completed questionnaires on their conservation areas – places designated to protect their special character and appearance – to give a full picture of the state they are in.
The aim of the campaign, English Heritage says, is to get residents, local groups and councils working together to improve them before it is too late.
Top threats are such seemingly innocuous problems as plastic windows and doors, general alterations, and satellite dishes spoiling the look of buildings, as well as general street clutter and poorly maintained roads, pavements and traffic management measures.
But the 2009 Heritage at Risk register gives details of more than 5,000 nationally designated sites at risk of neglect, decay or "inappropriate change".
Its findings show that statistically, 5.1% (103) of Grade I and II* buildings in the North West are at risk, as are 15.1% (198) of its scheduled monuments and 3.9% (5) of the registered parks and gardens.
On Merseyside, English Heritage holds up Seel Street’s Ropewalks area and Birkenhead’s Hamilton Square as the two areas in most urgent need of help.
Seel Street was established in the mid-18th century.
The decline of the docks 200 years later was reflected in the growing levels of vacancy and consequent decay. Despite action including Urgent Works Notices, long-term ownership challenges have also trapped buildings in a circle of neglect.




Wayne Colquhoun, chairman of Liverpool Preservation Trust, said: "It’s really good to highlight things like this, but really, it’s more about knuckling down and sorting out problems, providing the cash and the expertise to make a difference.
"There are greater problems than plastic windows and satellite dishes – some parts of Seel Street look like they precede the years after the war.
"What English Heritage need to get to grips with is Liverpool’s historic buildings and the way they have allowed the infill of new build to make the old buildings look alien in their own environment." Liverpool City Council’s conservation officer, Chris Griffiths, said: "This at- risk register is very useful to bring people’s attention to question the value of local distinctiveness and heritage.
"I think what English Heritage want to do is bring about a sea change in the culture of how conservation areas are maintained. I’m quite surprised that Sefton Park is deemed to be at risk. Shaw Street has some listed buildings at risk and Wavertree Village has a lot of plastic windows."
Liverpool has 36 conservation areas according to the city council, with eight of them making the at risk register.
In Wirral, English Heritage says Hamilton Square – the largest, Grade I Listed, Victorian square outside London – faces an "uncertain future" due to what it describes as the under-use of buildings, including the recent closure of the museum in the town hall. But local support is strong, with public interest groups and Wirral Borough Council working together in recent years to combat the decline.
Cllr Jerry Williams, the borough’s "heritage Champion", said: "Wirral has embraced the conservation strategy very well and there are over 40 local history societies working in partnership with the council to promote them.
"From a heritage point of view, Wirral is firing on all cylinders, and Hamilton Square is of massive importance, so we are watching this situation very carefully. There are a number of initiatives planned by heritage groups to revive the area, like history trails."
Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "Millions of us live in, work in, pass through or visit conservation areas. They are the centres of historic towns and villages, 1930s suburbs, rural idylls or estates of industrial workers’ cottages: the local heritage that gives England its distinctiveness.
"These are difficult economic times but Our research shows that conservation areas do not need time-consuming or costly measures, just prioritising as places people cherish, the commitment of the whole council and good-management by residents and councils alike.
"Well-cared for they encourage good neighbourliness, give a boost to the local economy and will continue to be a source of national pride and joy for generations to come."

Simon Thurley-Chief English Heretic

HOW MANY ENGLISH HERITICS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB……….
Its Friday night again and compulsive viewing is the BBC Series about English Heretics. picture courtosy http://www.simonthurley.com/

The Thurley gig starts again.
You can imagine the build up to this week’s saga.

Basil Thurley to his wife.
“Oh Darling what do you want for your birthday”
“How about landscaping the garden”
“How about landscaping someone else’s garden we could get away with a couple of million no-one would notice and as a special birthday treat you can do it yourself, be a bit of extra money for you”
“Oh Simon I love you”
“I know its easy isn’t it, I can definitely see the attraction”

And off they go. They find this letter from some Elizabethan drunkard who wrote about a garden that was erected for Queen Elizabeth. Despite the fact that it may have only been up for 16 days does not matter to them and they decide to restore it, without a scrap of evidence to support its existence, bullying anyone who stands in their way. Thurdling into it, Good Craftsmen, with skilled trades, are led by Incompetent fools at the ministry, bungling from one disaster to another. They set up a panel of committees, to decide what committee to install. Its so painful. Its like entering the twilight zone.
It’s only the tradesmen, who get completely ignored, who have any common sense in the show.

They start off with a 2 million budget and guess what the budget ends at 3.5 million.
Isn’t there an accountant down at the ministry of silly antics, cant anyone count? It’s every bloody time.
They spend 300 grand on a embankment that a Heretic says err it’s a bit of a health and safety issue "what if wheelchairs fall over the edge we really,do need it". This is three quarters into the job which runs 2 years behind schedule.
LED UP THE GARDEN PATH BY A FLAWED DESIRE.

If I ran my business in this manner I wouldn’t have one. Its surreal watching them.
Basil Thurley comes on site and that’s where the entertainments really begins, how an earth did someone so lacking in even the basic communications skills get away with it, in my opinion he is a complete twasser.
He walks on set looking like a Saville Row, Bazooka Joe and when told he needs an 'elf and safety induction he throws a Wally and turns on the bloke shouting "20 minutes, 20 minutes, I was in full swing there". Well once he gets going it’s a grin, he must be the biggest embarrassment to all the time wasting, head scratching, bureaucrats that are, part of the ministry of out of touch walks.
Thurley Gig then part gets it right, frying his staff and his organisation in the process “What’s this"..." well the grass wont grow so we err" the minion says.

"Did they have plastic planting trellis’s for embankments in Elizabethan times" and then "who built this wall” as he surveys his kingdom come hobby horse.
Well it did look like something Barney Rubble had a go at I have to say.
Then he says “You can see the cars, (as if like, make them disappear) there is a road there” Then the budget goes ballistic.
They then try everything they can to claw the cash back off the hardworking craftsman joiners, who did a fantastic job, who had erected a wooden aviary replacing the stone idea, saving 300 grand while Mrs Thurley goes off on maternity leave ready to have Little Lord Fauntleroy II.
By this time your shouting at the telly, anyone could see that was gonna happen its so funny. I am biting my thumb laughing out loud. Basil Thurley, it should be made into a film.

Until you realise that the whole load of waste of money has just cost us the taxpayers a fortune while there are 10 buildings on the Heretics “at risk register” in Liverpool and a couple of hundred more on the verge of falling down and this Little Lord Numskull has just spent a third of a million on a marble fountain that wasn’t there in the first place because he wanted a folly.

And Liverpool's World Heritage Site was advised upon by these people.

He has must be the biggest confidence trickster to infiltrate a public funded organisation since……. A FISH

JUST HOW DO THE DCMS LET HIM GET AWAY WITH THIS.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.14736
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.20601