Grade II listed former teapot factory partially demolished despite protests
A grade II listed former teapot factory has been partially demolished despite protests from campaigners.
Parts of the former Price and Kensington works in Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, were brought down after surveys showed they were at risk of collapsing.
Campaigners have previously called on the government to step in to protect the site.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council said was taking “urgent action” to partially demolish the privately owned derelict building.
The city council served a notice to the owner of the building under Section 78 of the 1984 Building Act, which gives the city council the power to take immediate action where it feels there is a danger to the public.
The city council is responsible for the road which runs adjacent to the building and is acting to protect the highway should the building or part of it collapse.
The building has previously been placed on Historic England’s heritage at risk register.
Cllr Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for regeneration, infrastructure, and heritage, said: “The city council is committed to protecting our city’s heritage and it is with deep regret that this privately-owned building has fallen into such poor condition. We’ve been actively pursuing the owner for some time to complete works on the site to improve the fabric of the building, which regrettably culminated in a court prosecution last week.
“Some remedial work to the building was carried out by the owner in the summer but this has not resolved the issues and we have now run out of time. Recent site inspections carried out by the council have shown that a part of the building is in an unsafe and dangerous condition, leaving the city council with no option but to take steps to ensure that the public are not exposed to harm.
“The work will involve targeted demolition of the unsafe building on the street front to bring it down to a safe height.
“We appreciate this will cause some disruption, but the works are absolutely necessary and will be carried out as quickly and safely as possible given the obvious need to handle the demolition sensitively and appropriately. We are left with no choice but to act to protect public safety.
“I’ve personally had meetings with Historic England to try and find a developer to regenerate the site but unfortunately no-one has come forward over the last four years. We will be seeking to recover all reasonable costs associated with the demolition work from the site owner.”
