Permission to demolish Grade II listed building is approved

Fountain Hall, on Fountain Street off Hamm Strasse, was built in the 1840s as a Friends Meeting House, and was Grade II listed in 1983.

Around 25 years ago it was badly damaged in a fierce blaze that destroyed much of the building, leaving just its facade.

It has been derelict ever since, and is currently propped up with scaffolding.

The planned new building

In 2019 a planning application to flatten both the building and a retail unit at the end of North Parade and build a new commercial unit and flats in its place was submitted to Bradford Council.

Almost three years after the plans were first submitted by Ajit Singh, the application has been approved.

This is despite concerns raised by heritage groups, including the Victorian Society, Historic England, Bradford Civic Society and the Ancient Monument society.

In making their decision, planning officers argued the derelict listed building spoils the character of the City Centre Conservation Area, and that it has prevented any meaningful development of the site.

How the building looks at present

The plans will see Fountain Hall and the neighbouring shop on Fountain Street/North Parade demolished. In their place will be built a new six storey building with a shop on the ground floor and 57 flats on the upper floors.

It will also include a landscaped courtyard for future residents.

The application said it was not financially viable to incorporate the listed building into the new development.

As well as concerns raised by the loss of the listed building, there were also questions about the new building and its impact on the Conservation area, including the listed Penny Bank building on the other side of North Parade.

These concerns have led to the design of the building being amended.

How the new building will look

Referring to the demolition, planning officers at Bradford Council said: “The listed building is currently in a state of dereliction, only the outer walls remain, with the roof collapsed and no longer present. The walls appear in a state of disrepair with pointing and mortar missing and the surface eroded and delaminating. There are no windows remaining, just damaged openings and the building is in part-scaffolded, presumably to support the structure.

“Whatever the reasoning for the parlous state of the listed building, it is difficult to see how the retention of a ruinous structure contributes to preserve or enhance the character of the City Centre Conservation Area.”

Officers went on to say the demolition “would contribute to the regeneration of the site of a virtually derelict building, which negatively impacts on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

An artist's impression of how the new building will look

“The loss of the listed building is acceptable.”

Referring to the new building, they added: “The design and appearance of the proposed development have been the subject of much discussion and the proposal is now considered appropriate in the context of its key City Centre location and with regard to heritage assets.

“The proposed development provides further housing to meet the Districts needs on previously developed land.”

After the decision a spokesperson for Bradford Civic Society’s Place Panel said:

“We did carefully consider the application and felt that the old Fountains Hall facade could be sympathetically incorporated into the new development. It’s disappointing that that this won’t be the case.

“Bradford Civic Society made additional comments about any proposed new-build design that appear to have been taken on board, so it’s pleasing to see a replacement building that does at least have some architectural merit. Hopefully, moving forwards, this development will provide a bit of vibrancy to the top of town, and will help support some of the businesses up there.”

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