An appeal against the refusal to grant permission for the demolition of a derelict locally-listed clock tower in Watford has been dismissed by a planning inspector, saving the clock tower.
The proposal was to demolish a now derelict industrial pump house building which had a clock tower. It was originally built in 1934 for the purposes of extracting water for the Sun Engraving Company, which operated a large printing works on the adjacent site. Although the works themselves are no longer there, the art-deco style building and clock tower have remained but are now unused.
Whilst English Heritage confirmed, as part of the appeal process, that the building would not merit inclusion on the national list, the inspector acknowledged that the decision does not mean it is of no interest or local value. Watford Borough Council currently recognise this value and the building is a Locally Listed Building as a heritage asset and a landmark building which is readily visible - a description the inspector agreed with. Furthermore, the inspector acknowledged that the associated printing works was a major employer, and the remaining structure counts as a tangible link to that heritage.
Although it looks to be in a poor condition, there is no evidence to suggest that it is dangerous or that it could not be brought back into use.
On balance, without detailed proposals for the re-development of the site, it was difficult for the inspector to ascertain whether the benefits of future development would outweigh the loss of the building. As a result, it was concluded that the benefits of demolishing the building were not greater than keeping the heritage asset and local landmark, so the appeal was dismissed.
