POLICE are appealing for witnesses
following a fire at Warrington’s historic Bewsey Old Hall, which has
devastated much of the building, after confirming the blaze was started
maliciously on Saturday night.
Fire crews battled through the night to try and save the Grade II Listed building, which is also subject to a preservation order, as it provides a home for four different breeds of bat.
One wing of the historic home of the former Lord of the Manor William Boteler has been destroyed by the blaze with extensive damage to other parts of the building.
Whittle Hall Councillors Keith Gleave and Kevin Reynolds are devastated by the fire.
Kevin said: “We were down there for a couple of hours with the Fire Brigade on Sunday afternoon and they showed us the extent of the damage.
“We will be seeking an urgent meeting with all those involved in the ownership and maintenance of the Hall to see what its future is.
“If development hadn’t dragged on for years, then the Hall may have been saved and put to good use much earlier. Our thanks must go to those who raised the alarm and the Fire Brigades for their prompt action.”
There was outrage last year when a planning inspector upheld an appeal by Urban Splash against the borough council’s refusal to grant permission for the conversion of the hall and the construction of an enabling development of 48 apartments in its grounds.
There had been a lengthy public inquiry and the council had been supported in its stance by local campaigners.
The borough council refused planning permission for the changes on the grounds the proposals would be out of character with the area and would deny public access to one of the town’s most historic buildings.
But there was also opposition on the grounds of a loss of green space, increased traffic congestion and a disregard for the heritage site.
The council immediately announced that it would try and work with Urban Splash and site owners the Homes and Communities Agency to secure a scheme that would preserve some part of the hall for community use.
Campaigners believe part of the hall could be used as a restaurant or tea room for use by people visiting the canal or using Sankey Valley Park.
Bewsey Old Hall is arguably Warrington’s most historic building. But despite various attempts to bring it back into use, it has stood virtually unused and in a deteriorating condition for many years.
The hall was originally built by William Fitz Almeric le Boteler and was home to the Lords of Warrington from the 13th Century. It was purchased by the former Warrington New Town Development Corporation in the late 60s or early 70s when some restoration work was carried out.
In 1997 a campaign was launched to turn it into a tourist attraction- but came to nothing.
Earlier it had been identified as a possible site for the Warrington Peace Centre but that proposal came to nothing following local opposition.
The fire is being treated as arson after police and fire investigators assessed the scene and it was established the fire had been started maliciously.
The building is a listed building and in a state of disrepair having not been occupied for some time. It is the subject of a preservation order due to four different breeds of bat which live in the building.
Detectives investigating the blaze ask that any witnesses, or anyone with any information that may assist the investigation, contact DC Neil Radley on 0845 458 0000 quoting incident 214 of 4th September. Alternatively, information may be left with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Picture shows Cllrs Keith Gleave and Kevin Reynolds with Pat Poynter and
Terry Ennis from the Bewsey Old Hall Conservation Group.
The historic Bewsey Old Hall building which has been gutted following a suspected arson attack.
4 Comments
Amazing how things happen to old buildings/valuable building sites etc in Warrington. One could be forgiven thinking a conspiracy theory.
Which councillor’s portfolio would arson come under
During the planning inquiry, English Partnership stated the very expensive ongoing security costs as a reason for wanting Bewsey Old Hall to be converted to apartments. Perhaps someone would be kind enough to give us the name of the security company they have been paying thousands of pounds per year to protect our heritage – that we may all avoid using their services in the future!
Most odd. That developer certainly seems to have a bit of bad luck with arson at various properties it owns….all usually listed as well….. they really should change their security… poor bats, protected species as well…