Green Property Issue A Statement on India Building.

Mike Tapp of Green Property Group issued a statement as the proposed demonstration over their handling of one of Liverpool's Historic properties was to go ahead. The first paragraph says "Protests are the stuff of democracy and I am sure Wayne and his colleagues wont seek to disrupt other occupiers of the building, nor harm its fabric in any way".  First of all  Dewhurst the Joiner is sent out to vandalise India Buildings bronze fitments, with the removal of 6 architectural fittings that were removed without planning permission,  and then he insults the intelligence of those protesting by asking them not to harm the fabric. THEY WERE THE PEOPLE PROTESTING AGAINST HIM. You couldn't make this up. Whether his press statement was prepared by him or Dougal Paver who Green have employed to mitigate the situation is not clear. But the thing that is clear is that a lot of people turned up, over a hundred some a bit late or early and they all signed the SOS "Save Our Shops petition". Green made further,  comments in this statement regarding giving rent free periods to other shopkeepers and help with their fit outs, which is a nonsense.  They did give Robert Wade-Smith a rent free period while other shopkeepers struggled, oh and they replaced a foot of skirting board and layed some carpet tiles for him. Big Expense for sure, they are so generous Green Property of Berkeley Square London. Was Robert Wade Smith their consultant who said there was no use for the shops in Holt's Arcade and they should be made into offices?  Was he wrong to think he had any credibility left after his company went into liquidaton leaving debts to local companies.  Holts Arcade shopkeepers welcomed him even though it appeared he was plotting to bring "Brands" to Liverpool's Historic India Building. http://waynecolquhoun.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/wade-smith-comes-to-india-buildings.html 

But Green helped him without helping the tenants that had been there for decades, in most cases completely ignoring them.

The peaceful demonstration was publicised in the Liverpool Echo the next day.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/12/06/peaceful-protest-over-possible-closure-of-arcade-in-liverpool-s-india-buildings-100252-32371699/

It was good to see so many people who love this building making themselves heard and sending a clear message to Green Property that this is our history they are trying to damage.

Further reading

Now they say they are investing, funny they said that 4 years ago

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/3148-cbre-advises-green-on-india-buildings-revand.html

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/23/u-turn-on-blunder-at-liverpool-s-india-buildings-100252-32290010/

23.11.12

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/22/fears-for-future-of-liverpool-s-landmark-india-buildings-100252-32281873/


http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/11/22/future-of-india-buildings-in-doubt-after-liverpool-council-cautions-owners-over-illegal-removing-of-entrance-plaques-99623-32280635/

One local blogger has it http://condensedthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/green-propertys-shabby-treatment-of.html

India Building Mutiny by Green Property Group

Peter Elson unfurls his sails and puts on a head of steam over the disgusting act of Vandalism perpetrated by Green Property Group on the Main Entrance to India Building.
Its bad enough they just seem to be running the building down but to then vandalise it.
It now transpires that Mike Tapp and Co, of, The Greed Property Group, the vandals of India Buildings have done so much damage when Dewhurst the joiner was ordered to remove the architectural fitments, that four of the six can no longer be replaced as they were, instead they are having to employ architects to find a way to re-instate them........ or face criminal proceedings from the City Council, who seem to be taking this very seriously indeed, and so they should.
It is hard to believe that educated people could do this to such a wonderful example of Herbert Rowse architecture.
All the warning signs were there for some time and it had not gone unoticed by some.
No one would have believed any sane person would wish to desicrate such a historic landmark in Liverpools World Heritage Site when Liverpool is on the Unesco World Heritage Site "In Danger" list.
http://condensedthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/answers-needed-over-india-buildings.html

It has caused unprecedented local press attention.
http://www.baytvliverpool.co.uk/vod/?vid=JBV50b38ff3c9d65




22.11.12
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/23/u-turn-on-blunder-at-liverpool-s-india-buildings-100252-32290010/

23.11.12
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/22/fears-for-future-of-liverpool-s-landmark-india-buildings-100252-32281873/


http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/11/22/future-of-india-buildings-in-doubt-after-liverpool


Lets hope that the owners of India Building now realise what they have and start to think about their responsibility.

Green Property Group Vandalise Liverpools Historic India Buildings.

 This is what happens when ignorant people with no respect for the past get hold of one of Liverpool’s historic gems.


India buildings is one of Liverpool’s jewels and has always been held in the highest regard it is Grade II listed and an application has now been made to upgrade this to Grade II *.
The conservation officer is Wendy Morgan, so it is not in good hands.
Monday last a member of the public alerted the Conservation department of the City Council and bloody ‘ell they dealt with the matter and cautioned the owners for the criminal act of removing six historic bronze plaques from the arched entrance way of the Water Street Entrance to India Buildings in no time at all.

Chris Griffiths the City Council buildings At Risk officer was made to do a bit of work and a letter was sent to Green Property telling the vandals to re-instate the plaques forthwith.

The speed and efficiency of this astounded us. Chris Griffiths has done a good job here.

The tradesman who took the plaques off served his time with Dewhursts….the butchers.............. well he must have done as seeing the mess of the studs bent over in the hand carved Portland Stone pillars and the holes in the wall was hard to bear.

Jonathan Brown of the Merseyside Civic Society said "It is the desecration of a city jewel”.


What is also apparent is that the out of town owners, what can be worse than Irish Investors based in London with Manchester agents, want to close Holts Arcade which is also Grade II listed thus denying the public access to it.

Holts arcade was built over the original Chorley Street that was taken over to build the huge City block style building designed by Liverpool’s favourite architect Herbert Rowse who also built the Philharmonic Hall and the amazing Martins Bank also in Water Street.

The Daily Post had it as its front page. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/11/22/future-of-india-buildings-in-doubt-after-liverpool-council-cautions-owners-over-illegal-removing-of-entrance-plaques-99623-32280635/ Peter Elson doing the reporting.

And the Echo did a full page http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/22/fears-for-future-of-liverpool-s-landmark-india-buildings-100252-32281873/ followed up with a sort of response from Mike Tapp and Co of Greed Property Group.
The history of India Buildings is immense. The Echo ran another page the publics response is clear.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/11/23/u-turn-on-blunder-at-liverpool-s-india-buildings-100252-32290010/

 Today in NW Businessweek a press release from Dougal Paver, who have now been asked to mitigate the situation, was written up by


By James Graham
THE owners of Liverpool's landmark India Buildings are promising a "significant" investment to attract new tenants.
Mike Tapp, a director of London-based Green Property, said the company plans to attract large firms to the Grade II-listed building, which is home to law firm DLA Piper.
He said: “The sort of companies who’d be attracted to a building of this stature will be ones who want to balance a modern working environment with the pleasure that comes from being in such a lovely space.
“They’d run a mile if we didn’t do a proper job of conserving its fabric and that’s what we intend to do. We’ve got architects and heritage advisors supporting us and, of course, the conservation officers in the council. I’m looking forward to revealing our plans in due course.”
The commitment came after a report in the Liverpool Post said the company had been cautioned by the city council for illegally removing eight bronze entrance plaques.
The report also claimed Green Property was planning to close Holts Arcade in the building and convert the shop units into office space.
Mr Tapp said: “The fact is that shopping patterns in Liverpool’s business district have shifted now that Liverpool One has brought the retail heart up to the edge of the office district.
"The area doesn’t generate the footfall it used to, either, as there have been some major relocations from the vicinity to around St. Paul’s Square. We’re keeping a close eye on things, but it’s not in our shareholders’ interests to offer a product to the market that isn’t viable.”
Until 2005 the building was home to the passport office. Earlier this year law firm Weightmans moved out for a new base at The Plaza on Old Hall Street.
The 350,000 sq ft building was built between 1924 and 1932 for Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line.
It is interesting to note that we have been informed that Mike Tapp of Green Property Group sanctioned the removal of the plaques.

Here is yesterday with a bucket in Holts Arcade collecting water(for the third time) after another leak sprung through the vaulted ceiling.

What a great way to attract tenants.

John Hinchliffe Liverpool World Heritage Officer Steps Down-Good Riddance.

This is the man who got us on the World Heritage "At Risk" Register, then like a rat jumping ship, he buggers off and take the redundancy money.

You have to question the credibility of a man who has been a complete waste of space. Who has stood idly by while the Pier Head was decimated with modern rubbish and he was paid to defend it all.

Lets hope he can sleep at night.

Where was he when they destroyed Manchester Dock? 

 Nowhere hiding under his desk.

Where was he when they filled in Trafalger Dock?

Same Desk.

Where was he when the plans were passed for the three black slugs at mann Island.

Negotiating with the developers instead of laying down in front of the bulldozers.

On World Heritage matters he had Backbone of a jellyfish, a poodle who liked getting his tummy tickled by the developers.
He was a plant by the previous council administration who as soon as the ink was dry on the WHS inscription set about destroying it.
Lets hope he can sleep at night.

So Uncle JOE ANDERSON Has now removed another  obstacle for Peel Holdings.e

Here is a compilation of some of his worst bits.

He was flown over to Shanghai at the cost f 6 grand to tout the destruction of the WHS

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/john-hinchliffe-and-6000-freebie.html

He is a complete waste of space very often working against the public who pay his purse http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/john-hinchliffe-tries-to-shaft-us.html

He was supposed to educate the public but lacked the education or the gumption himself

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/liverpools-world-heritage-education-nil.html

One thing he was good at was shuffling paper

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/liverpool-waters-dcms-world-heritage.html

Pearls before Swine
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/liverpools-world-heritage-site-pearls.html

Was he paid by English Heritage
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/english-heritage-slam-liverpool-waters.html

He was a poodle for Council Leaders with "cosy" developer friends

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/world-heritage-steering-group-what.html

A COMPLETE WASTE OF SPACE

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/John%20Hinchliffe?updated-max=2010-04-09T12:58:00%2B01:00&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false

BUT WHO IS NOW GOING TO REPLACE HIM probably another compliant who will be just as bad.......how convenient for Peel Holdings.

Langton Dock Pumping Station Amongst The Top 10 Endangered Structures In Britain

Langton Dock pumphouse in Merseyside is one of the buildings at risk of being lost forever, according to the Victorian Society. Photograph: John Hake/Victorian Society

A palatial pumphouse, an immense stone spillway and a London roundabout are among the 10 most threatened Victorian and Edwardian structures in England and Wales, according to a list published on Wednesday.

The list, compiled by the Victorian Society, also includes an abandoned railway station in Derbyshire, an ivy-shrouded mortuary chapel in Salford and the country's first lending library, housed in Swindon's Mechanics Institute – all of which have fallen into a shocking state of disrepair.

The publication follows a widespread appeal to find the best and most at risk buildings in England and Wales, with historians, enthusiasts and local campaigners suggesting endangered structures in their area.

"The public responded enthusiastically to our call for threatened buildings," said Chris Costelloe, director of the Victorian Society. "It shows the public cares – but it also shows there are still too many historic buildings at risk, without recognition or protection."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2012/oct/18/victorian-society-threatened-buildings?intcmp=239
read more here


So while Peel Holdings are telling us how wonderful it will be to have Liverpool Docks turned into yuppie flats this is the reality, quality buildings going to rack and ruin.
We broughtthis to the attention of HenryOwen-John who passedit over to Graham Ives of the English Heretics who have stood idly by as it slowly gets worse.
It is in Sefton Council juristiction and their conservation officer seems worse than Steve Corbett the bunch of conservation (sic) officers who do nothing at Liverpool Council.

Liverpool Football Club Are Responsible for the Decline Of The Anfield Area

It used to be a lovely area in the 60s. Yes it was poor, but the people of Anfield were proud. There was a community spirit in Stanley Park with its boating lake and its huts that were used in the summer holidays to run drafts and chess classes for children.


There used to be a massive clock set in a small raised ground area, made of flowers sponsored by Ogden’s the local tobacco manufacturers. The hands of the clock used to move at 12 pm. People used to gather there for the event on a sunny day.

The poverty was real, parts of the area was a slum area for sure, there were still bombed buildings from the war, but gradually some of the houses around the ground come up for sale. Absentee landlords who had in fact commissioned roads on mass had owned huge swathes. These houses had a lifespan and they needed a refurbishment.

But then Liverpool football club started buying up property in the immediate vicinity to Anfield and boarding them up. In the 70s and 80s they were ruthless in their approach. It was claimed they would just wait for the people to die and then make an offer over the odds that could not be refused. We are talking about seven grand at the time, the same house would sell for between ten and twenty times that price.

While Liverpool’s financial fortunes crested to sums that are beyond the imagination of many of the working class people in the city, the football club watched with no community spirit. Fending off claims with their lawyers from aggrieved citizens who felt helpless, even though the support for Liverpool Football Club was and is in the hearts of these people. BUT NOW SOME SAY........... THIS IS A FIELD..

So while Liverpool FC pay out wages of, it is said, £60,000 a week to some players they spent less than sixty quid on the area that they own until it is to the stage when one can say…………..
It is a disgrace what Liverpool Football club have done to the once proud community of Anfield.

Now Joe Anderson and Co have got together for another press release stating that the city council and Liverpool FC are now to redevelop the area.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/10/15/liverpool-fc-to-stay-at-anfield-timeline-of-the-lfc-stadium-saga-since-2000-100252-32027261/
How many times have we heard this? At least the stupid plan to build a new stadium on Stanley Park appears to have been scuppered.

So the local journalists many of them to young to recall the empty promises of past years lap it up, and hey presto the area has a positive spin on it.

Two months ago someone daubed, in thick white paint on the gable end of a building in full prominence
JOE ANDERSON IS A TRAITOR………this was removed within the day and was not mentioned in the local press.

So when hearing about another area that is to be errrrrrrr…. regenerated remember that Liverpool Football club speaks with forked tongue and we have heard it all before and the franchise, as the American owners say, is more than that to some people it is their lives their existence.
If the greedy fat cat executives at the football club http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/10/15/liverpool-fc-managing-director-ian-ayre-hails-massively-important-day-for-lfc-and-whole-anfield-area-100252-32034196/ were made to live there for a week they would soon realise the damage that Liverpool FC along with consecutive council leaders have done to this once proud area.

Some poor unfortunate people of the Anfield area may think and believe regeneration is a matter of life and death...... but to some it is more important than that, its a press release to help their careers.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/10/15/liverpool-fc-to-stay-at-anfield-timeline-of-the-lfc-stadium-saga-since-2000-100252-32027261/

Cllr Malcolm Kennedy Spins Marc Waddington another One...Just Like The Other One.

When are the local hacks going to realise that they are not PR for the council and are not there to make councillors look good with empty promises and PR spin.

This time its Marc Waddingtons turn to make Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpools Regeneration officer (who has not regenerated anything but his own career)  look good, with twaddle about a fifteen year plan to transform Islington.

He says:

LIVERPOOL’S Islington district is in line for a multi-million pound face lift over the next decade.
There are plans to transform up to 1.5m square metres of land with hotels, houses and offices in a bid to revamp one of the main routes into the city.
The council and developer Downing hope that the growing demand for high-quality student accommodation and the need for homes for ‘key workers’ like nurses and doctors will help stimulate the project.

All speculation Mr Waddington, but there you are making the council look as if they are doing good, getting all the (rigged by the council) comments section on the corrupted Echo website wound up, on Downing developments behalf.

He goes on to say: 
The plans, originally conceived in 2005, were shelved in 2007, when it became difficult to raise finance for the scheme because of the credit crunch.
THE plan for the multi-million pound regeneration of Islington was progressing well before it became one of the many development victims of the credit crunch.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/10/04/15-year-masterplan-for-regeneration-of-liverpool-s-islington-gateway-100252-31962120/
(Our understanding is that the credit crunch started in 2008 Marc).
Are the council somehow subsidising Downing?

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/councillor-malcolm-kennedy-manipulating.html
So is Kennedy Manipulating the press
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/david-bartlett-takes-city-council-to.html
Or are they all in on it togther
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/peel-holdings-running-liverpool-city.html
What has Malcolm Kennedy actually done.

So why are we being spoon fed with half thought out ideas by Marc Waddington and co at the Oldham Echo about creating jobs, when they have just put all the Merseymart delivery boys out of a job.
All those old blokes who used to be kept busy with their trolleys, are now down the pub every Thursday and Friday drowning their sorrows with nowhere to go just because they now give it away free in the Echo........... er, hang on......... you have to buy an Echo to get a free paper.

It just gets worse.
Soon you will get a free Post in the Echo and its likely it will be full of he sae old ouncil spin that nobody believes anymore.