Council's bid to protect historical railway shed in Wellingborough

Wellingborough Council is keen to act following concerns over the future of this town landmark
By Stephanie Weaver
Published 13th Feb 2020, 06:00 GMT
The Roundhouse in WellingboroughThe Roundhouse in Wellingborough
The Roundhouse in Wellingborough

Action could soon be taken to help secure the future of Wellingborough's Roundhouse.

The Wellingborough Roundhouse, originally accessed via Mill Road, was built in 1872 to house Midland Railways locomotives and a large train turntable.

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After closure as a rail shed, the red brick building was used as a warehouse for Whitworths and Totectors.

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Totectors used to use the buildingTotectors used to use the building
Totectors used to use the building

Wellingborough Civic Society recently made calls for the building to be retained and converted for other use, and Wellingborough Council's development committee will be discussing it next week.

A report prepared for councillors says: "The current status of the building is that it is within the area known as Stanton Cross and is owned by the developer Bovis Homes (now Vistry Homes).

"The building is not listed or within a conservation area, and as such is vulnerable to being demolished by the owner who could do so without requiring planning permission.

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"The owner has not described any intention to demolish the building and is currently working with the council's planning team to develop an end use for the building that would be sustainable."

To strengthen the position of it in planning terms and to protect it from demolition, councillors will be asked to approve that the Roundhouse is locally listed.

Documents prepared for the local listing state: "It is fair to say that enough original material has been removed to exclude the Roundhouse from a position of national importance.

"But it is fair to say that enough remains for the Roundhouse to have significant local importance and to be locally listed."

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Councillors will also be asked to approve an application for the addition of an Article 4 (1) direction to the building in order to remove permitted development rights and prevent unauthorised demolition.

Members of the development committee will discuss the Roundhouse at their meeting at Swanspool House on Monday, February 17.

To read more about the civic society's calls to protect the Roundhouse, go to https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/wellingborough-societys-demolition-fear-historic-railway-shed-1365220

Related topics:WellingboroughCouncillors