Warminster Town Council are delighted to share the news that after many years of being a blight on the town centre, Number 3 High Street will finally be demolished.
Mayor of Warminster, Councillor Phil Keeble said: “I’m overjoyed this is finally happening. At long last, this eyesore will disappear for good. This is the news Warminster has been waiting for.”
“Warminster Town Council has for years pressed for enforcement action on Number 3, High Street. We are delighted that Wiltshire Council took that action which seems to have finally got things moving.”
Warminster Town Council understands that extra scaffolding will go up week commencing 18th March and demolition will follow. The plan is to demolish the building down to ground level. From start to finish it is estimated it will take six weeks to demolish the building, take everything away and make the site safe.
We are told that the owner plans to apply for planning permission for a residential development, with a commercial unit on the High Street and expect an application to be submitted very soon.
‘Demolition will commence shortly’
Wiltshire Council issued a statement on Tuesday 12th March. Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Development Management said: “The condition of the building at 3 High Street, Warminster and implications for public safety in the surrounding area, have become of increasing concern.
“Our Building Control Team served a notice under Section 77 Building Act 1984 requiring the owner to remove the danger and followed this up with a court order. In response, the owner has elected, as is his right under Section 77, to demolish the building. A demolition notice has been received from the demolition company, under Section 80 of the Building Act and it is understood that demolition will commence shortly.
“The building is a listed building and demolition would usually require listed building consent. However, Section 9 (3) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 allows for emergency situations by providing a defence from potential prosecution where works are urgently required in the interests of public safety or the security of the building.
“Regrettably, this building is now in such a poor condition, with extensive internal collapse, that there is no further safe opportunity for temporary works, scaffolding, propping or shoring which could achieve the safety of the building and we are therefore in agreement that demolition is the appropriate next step.
“I know that this will be particularly disappointing to the local councillors and residents who have wanted to see the building fully restored and the decision to allow demolition has only been agreed to with reluctance. The building owner have advised us that preliminary works to demolish the building will commence on Wednesday.”
For more information contact Tom Dommett, Town Clerk, Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk
Last modified: 14 March 2024
