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Villa fans go down fighting

Marie Burchill
20/ 3/2008

CAMPAIGNERS in Whalley Range have spoken of their outrage after the green light was given to the demolition of a historic three-storey Victorian villa.

Local residents and councillors – as well as representatives from English Heritage – have led a long-fought battle to save the 19th century villa on College Road.

However, its fate has now been sealed by planning chiefs at Manchester City Council who have given permission for the building to be totally demolished – and replaced with 20 three-storey family homes.

The villa, built in 1858, forms part of the original development of the suburb – carried out by wealthy calico printer, Samuel Brooks – and over recent years has been home to Range Warehouse domestic appliances. Local campaigners have said they are ‘saddened’ and ‘appalled’ by the decision to totally demolish the villa – which falls within the Whalley Range conservation area.

Paul Hannan of Whalley Range conservation area group which has led the campaign to save the villa said: "We are all saddened by the news that the villa is going to be demolished. Everybody in the group is very disappointed, but we must say that we are not surprised."

Whalley Range councillor John Grant has slammed the decision by planning bosses.

Coun Grant said: "English Heritage is a large organisation and for them to get behind the campaign to save the villa means this really was something out-of-the-ordinary. They spoke out at the planning meeting in support of conserving the villa and I am just appalled that something like this can happen within a conservation area.

"What is the purpose of having a conservation area when officials give the go-ahead for buildings such as this to be torn down? This is the exact kind of building that should be preserved."

During the planning meeting English Heritage – which also made a site visit to see the College Road villa – said: "This is precisely the type of villa that justifies the existence of the conservation area and the loss of the building will have an adverse effect on the character of the area.

"Its demolition should be resisted."

The developer, Range Warehouses, refused to comment on their plans. But their agents – Stephenson Bell – told the Reporter: "We will be providing high quality family homes in an area that needs them.

"Although people want to keep the villa, it is in such a state of disrepair that it is unlikely anybody would have come along and bought the site."