Hereford Times - 14th January 2016 - Page 33
Hereford Times - 14th January 2016 - Page 33
Image displayed may not be an exact representation of the image in the library. Colour and contrast may differ.
Image Details
| Date | 14/01/2016 |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Format | |
| Language | English |
| Area | Hereford Times |
| Collection Holder | |
| Date of Publication | 14th January 2016 |
| Transcription |
herefordtimes.com lnFocus by Rebecca Cain CPO optionfor ‘eyesore’ Fire crews battle to stop-flames from spreading in Hereford’s High Town in October 2010. Damage caused by the blaze is still clearly visible today — despite the site being at the very centre of the city’s historic core A FALL back option for Herefordshire Council to solve the problem of the burnt Out shops in Hereford city centre will soon be con- sidered. A fire ripped through the former River Island shop in High Town in October 2010 yet little has been done to improve the appearance of the damaged buildings since. The site, which is not owned by Herefordshire .Council, has long been considered an eyesore in the city centre but,-despite planning permission hav- ing been secured for a re- placement building, very little has happened apart from behind-the—scenes talks between council offic- ers and the site owners. This week, Herefordshire. Council announced that conversations are still be- ing held over the future of the site, but warned that — should the talks fall through — the authority would like to have the op- tion to complete a compul- sory purchase order (CPO). This move is expected to be discussed by Hereford- shire Council’s cabinet ei- ther this month. Philip Price, the council’s cabinet member for infra- structure, said: “Negotia- tions are going on at this moment in time with the administrators with the company that owned the building. “Over the last few years we have been trying to make it easier for them to do some- thing with the building. We have gone back to the listed buildings and Historic Eng- land about whether or not Maxme Williams improved the look of the hoardings by painting a mural remembering fallen soldiers As they are today: the boarded- -up buildings have been labelled an eyesore by shoppers and business owners. Photo: James Maggs we can change the restric- tions at the building. “As a result of the meet- ings we have had, they have been able to go back to their architects to draw up a new set of plans.” The restrictions regarding the facade of the building have now been relaxed. He said a set of plans for the building should be sub- mitted soon, which means it could then be sold to a new owner. But Cllr Price added: “On the back of it, because it has been five years since the fire, we don’t want them to think they get an unlim- ited time in which to deal with it. “The opinion was if they don’t proceed then the council could put in a CPO." Last February Omaha Properties Ltd. which owned the building, went into administration. Ad- ministrators have since been dealing with proceed- ings. Marc Willimont, head of regulatory and develop- ment management services at Herefordshire Council. said a CPO is a lengthy pro- cess and if cabinet decided to approve the option of a CPO, this would just be in place if it was needed in the future. He said: “What it will say in principle is, should the market force solution not work, we will fall back to this.” 990009060000 24l7news herefordtimes.com Thursday, January 14, 2016 THE HEREFORD TIMES 33 a: IzoII6IIIEIN \v'IEhIIis'IIuesIIII : Irxnnii .1 l lSCOUNT [UHF/ALIL llllTlCHEll . (Erma radon onImoiieI.;,(fim3fl.m-ffiW . I . ‘mnse nerunn niIs iiouuiuir.é Aztec Kitchen Crown Kitchen We sell Bosch. Neii. Hotpoint, Hangemasler, Belling and many more Appliances ....... s We have a choice of Granite. Quartz. Solid Wood, Laminate and many more worktops ...... We can offer a separate quote for our professional installation service ..... G We will help and support from start to finish ...... Contact Jonathan and hook our FREE home survey and Gill} design 1.9237 :.'.5 or email - 1.; “We will beat any like for like quote— Don i buy until you have given Pontrilas a Try lends 5 Condition: apply anio'kialliliEEIHllMEtSilliliEYiiorlhelpfi [adviceton'ttheifitiinp(oiianytoiiuurts'toves All log burners supplied & fitted by Pontrilas Merchants will also receive a FREE service & chimney sweep alter the ist year !! \llis'ittourlkitdlien{titsmveisnowronmtto \IiiewtuuniiisiilaystanilIdidkiupiourlhrodhurc |
| Newspaper name | Hereford Times |