WARRINGTON South MP Sarah Hall is seeking planning consent to make changes to her office in an outbuilding at the historic Town Hall.
The application seeks permission and Listed Building consent to install security lighting and cameras and signage on the former coroner’s office in the West Annexe of the Grade One Listed building.
But it is being opposed by Cllr John Roddy, the former Reform UK councillor for Bewsey and Whitecross, who defected to the Conservatives in February.
He makes it clear he is not opposed to the increased security measures but only to the proposed signage, which he says would detract from and diminish the historic character and heritage of the Town Hall.
Planning officers are recommending the proposals be approved. They say the building which is the subject of the application is a relatively recent addition.
Although physically attached to the Grade I Listed Western Annexe of the Town Hall, it does not share the same historic significance as the main Town Hall and Annexe buildings and is clearly differentiated by its scale, form and materials.
It contains no historically significant fabric, and its appearance generally detracts from the setting of the adjacent Listed Building.
The security lights and cameras would be minor and unobtrusive additions to the building and should help prevent antisocial behaviour and potential damage to buildings, including nearby Listed structures. The rear elevation of the building, which faces onto Bank Park, has, in particular, been subject to vandalism and graffiti in recent years.
The borough’s development management committee is to consider the proposals on Thursday.
Picture: How the building would look.
