To: Chester Diocesan Board of Education (owner); Stockport Council Planning Committee; Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Save St. George's Vicarage, Stockport

Campaign created by

John Fidler

30/1/17 - We Won!

As of 17:15pm today, Monday 30th January 2017, the online and hard copy petition signatures to save St. George's Vicarage, Stockport totalled 502 - We just received good news that the architect-developers, Purcell, and their client, the Chester Diocesan Board of Education, have withdrawn their demolition application today (as our petition suggested) before Stockport Council could determine the case.

Objections to demolition had been received from Historic England, the Victorian Society and the Ancient Monuments Society, besides, in this petition:

275 concerned Stockport citizens (55% of all petitioners) of whom well over half live near to or regularly pass by the Vicarage site;

47 neighbouring Mancunians;

At least nine eminent architectural historians expert in Victorian and Edwardian architecture;

20 prominent architects and conservation officers;

Numerous members of the Victorian Society nationwide (from Lerwick in the Shetlands to St. Helier in Jersey; and

The Stockport diaspora, including renowned authoress and media star, Baroness Joan Bakewell

The Stockport Heritage and Building Preservation Trusts have just asked Stockport Council to intervene now and call a meeting with the architect-developers and the Diocese to discuss appropriate and sufficient enabling development to repair and restore the Vicarage. Or suffer the service of a Repairs Notice to stem the awful longstanding neglect of the listed building.

1) The Diocese (owner): withdraw the planning application for demolition and commission a refurbishment scheme with sufficient sensitive enabling development to fund restoration

2) Stockport Council (planning authority): refuse Listed Building Consent on the grounds that the 1897 Grade II property is part of the Masterwork of Hubert J. Austin of architects Austin & Paley of Lancaster along with the Grade I church and Grade II School; and can be restored if suitable conversion, extension and supplementary development is arranged on the site.

3) DCLG: in the event that Stockport Council grants Listed Building Consent and its associated planning application for 8 dwellings, that the Secretary of State call in the case for resolution at a local public inquiry

Why is this important?

The former vicarage is of special architectural and historic interest; it contributes to a group of important listed buildings (all by the same designer) at the heart of a conservation area.

Although heavily vandalised (caused by neglect and poor security over many years), the listed building is capable of rehabilitation, adaptation and extension to form multiple dwellings. Lost interior details can by copied from Austin's own 1875 home, The Knoll, in Lancaster.

To pay for the scheme, additional houses can be built in the vicarage gardens in such a way as to open up the views to the west end of the Grade I listed church, save the south lawn, and better use the listed boundary wall and gates.

The counter proposal to demolition is more sustainable, sympathetic to the site and enhances a forlorn and abandoned heritage asset.

How it will be delivered

We have sent periodic drafts of the petition and signature numbers to Stockport Council, its planners and Ward Councillors over the last few days. We shall submit a final copy via email this coming week and alert the press.

This campaign was a Success!

545

of 600 signatures

Last signed by:

Paul B.	2017-07-13 03:33:25 +0100
Chris H.	2017-07-10 23:57:16 +0100
Wayne B.	2017-07-07 10:27:14 +0100
Justin K.	2017-06-26 20:48:54 +0100
Emily M.	2017-05-23 16:07:32 +0100

Reasons for signing

Because it's always been a focal point of shaw health and you resemble it with the church . It could be easily restored. As it's very popular toogo in the summer

Chris H. 2017-07-11 00:00:54 +0100

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Because we need to encourage saving these buildings because they are architectural gems, all they need is some TLC for the future generations to enjoy Stockport's beauty!

Emily M. 2017-05-23 16:13:32 +0100

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Perhaps the Diocese could turn the church into an industrial warehouse and the school buildings into "heritage apartments"...?

Si P. 2017-02-13 22:14:46 +0000

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Updates

2017-01-31 21:31:52 +0000

500 signatures reached

2017-01-31 10:32:40 +0000

Petition is successful with 490 signatures

2017-01-18 15:38:28 +0000

Stockpory Council will decide this case in the first week of February 2017. We'll submit the petition in time to be considered.

For those overseas that wish to sign the petition, alas, the website software does not allow such entries because it only relies upon British post codes and US and other zip codes are not recognized. Please send your support direct by email to jf@jf-pt.com to be included.

2017-01-17 19:05:26 +0000

100 signatures reached

2017-01-17 15:42:07 +0000

50 signatures reached

2017-01-17 14:14:12 +0000

25 signatures reached

2017-01-17 11:38:57 +0000

10 signatures reached