Don't allow the glorious tropical palm to fool you, the swifts have left, the safety barriers are up, and summer holidays will soon be over. Next...The wrecking ball will do its thing.
In my last post I reported on the provision that Pembrokeshire Housing Association had made for the preservation of the date stone from the school. See:
As mentioned before, the contract for the demolition and subsequent building of the houses and flats has been awarded to W.B. Griffiths & Son, a well known Pembrokeshire construction company. I have been assured by Pembrokeshire Housing Association that the contractor they have engaged has an ethical approach to their work. More information about them can be found at:
http://www.wbgriffiths.co.uk/.
and
Companies House
News of the start date for the work became known to those residents neighbouring the site when the letter below was hand delivered through their doors. Many thanks to the Pennar resident who let me know about this.
I will now provide more detail about the discussions that have taken place about the proposed demolition. I have redacted personal email contact information and have used different colours to denote the various correspondents. I think it is important that dates and times are included. the latest email, quoted at the end below, was received this morning, 26 August 2016.
I will go back to June 2015......
From: Adrian James
Sent: 24 June 2015 16:20
To: Nigel Sinnett
Subject: Old Pennar School
Importance: High
Dear Mr Sinnett
I have just learned that you have exchanged contracts on Old
Pennar School. As you will appreciate, I am disappointed about this, but
equally I can see that PHA has invested both time and money that they need to
account for. I had hoped, that given the way in which you spoke about Old
Pennar School at the meeting in Pennar, you would perhaps reconsider the
planning application. I believe (but may be mistaken) that Pembrokeshire County
Council have, to a certain extent, led you up the garden path and possibly
misrepresented the depth of feeling locally about this issue. I still also
firmly believe that there are definite planning grounds on which the
application ought to be turned down.
I wonder if there is still room for negotiation over Old Pennar
School? For my part I will continue to pursue the listing of the group of
buildings, including the school, as well as looking into the way in which,
procedurally, the application and sale have been handled. I am very saddened by
the way in which the heart of Pennar is being slowly eroded, and disappointed
that a body, supposedly with a sense of community and social reponsibility, is
proactively bringing this about.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes
Adrian James
From: Nigel Sinnett
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 6:01 PM
To: Adrian James
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Adrian
I am sorry for the way this has panned out. We got involved in this at a point when no-one else had expressed an interest to buy; the agreed heads of terms have been with lawyers for some time, and the exchange process was committed to. Obviously we would have felt unhappy if the council had reneged on that agreement and started to discuss terms with someone else. I think most people would too.
Yes, we have spent significant amounts on pre-planning designs, full planning designs, independent consultant reports and the application itself. The association just isn’t able to turn back from this I’m afraid, and a refurbishment scheme would simply not work for us as I explained at the public meeting. The design process was iterative, and at no stages did we get any indication from anyone that this was going to be a problem in terms of planning or deliverability…………………………….until of course we made the formal application and it became public.
We do not set out to upset local people with our developments. Quite the contrary. Our scheme will address local housing need for affordable housing: it clearly will be of benefit to local people in need of somewhere to live; we believe this demonstrates social and community responsibility, far more than you would see from the private sector. I do understand that you and other local people do not want to lose this building for sentimental reasons, but as it is not considered to be protected, that means any future purchaser of this land could do exactly the same thing that we have proposed.
Things would have been very different if the building had been protected or covenanted to prohibit demolition. We simply would not have expressed an interest on that basis. We probably would have been similarly inclined if from the outset we had known that there was such strong local feeling about retaining the building. We didn’t though.
I note that you will continue to seek a listing of the building. In terms of planning, our application has not yet been determined, and we believe we should let due process continue.
Regards
Nigel
NOTE: The story of the attempt to have the Old Pennar School building listed can be followed at:
Getting the Building Listed - Part 1
and subsequent posts, with final outcome at:
Response to Request for Listing
From: Adrian James
Sent: 07 April 2016 11:46
To: Nigel Sinnett
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council;
Subject: Re: Old Pennar School
Dear Nigel
I hope you and yours are well. I have a few questions about the
work that PHA will be undertaking at Old Pennar School.
Firstly, has a start date for the building been decided and if so,
when would this be? I would like to be able to have the demise of the building
recorded for posterity.
Secondly, I assume you have plans for the demolition material from
the school. What will happen to the limestone, particularly the dressed stone,
as well as the internal fixtures of the school – such as partitions, fireplaces
(such that survive) and roof timbers? I know of a couple of local heritage
based projects that have a use for random limestone walling stone for repair
and renovation of a couple of old houses. It would be excellent if some of this
stone could be made available to those projects at low/no cost. I must come
clean and confess that one of these projects is being undertaken by myself – a
house/cottage [redacted] within [Pembroke Dock] that has been virtually
untouched since being built in about 1880 [1864] – contemporaneous with the school.
The stone would be used to help with the repair of the garden wall and
restoration of the old garden. The cottage has been in continuous occupation by
the same family for over 100 years and retains most of its internal woodwork,
which reflects the materials and skills of the workforce at Pembroke Dockyard.
Such details would have been ubiquitous in PD, but sadly in most houses in the
town they have been ripped out in the name of progress. The other project is one
south of Pembroke where a very old cottage is being rescued, along with a
series of old outbuildings, with which I have some involvement. Information
about the cottage [....] is attached. [See later letter for further details]
It would be excellent too if some parts of the school could be retained
in Pennar or lodged with the heritage centre in the Dockyard Chapel? I am
thinking particularly of the stone tablet in the north gable of the building or
some of the internal folding partitions and doors with their stone settings.
I do understand that the demolition contractors will probably want
to make the as much money from the architectural salvage as possible, but if it
is not too late, preservation locally of some parts of the building or use
locally of the materials (not in land fill!) could be seen as a conciliatory
gesture towards the local community who are saddened by the fate of the school.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Adrian James
From: Nigel Sinnett
Sent: 15/04/2016 17:51
To: Adrian James
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council;
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Adrian, thanks for your email
I’m sorry but I’ve been out of the office for much of this week and so I haven’t been able to respond. I did ask our development officer responsible for this scheme, Sam Stalbow, to summarise our position for me. I have cut and pasted this below.
The building works are scheduled within our 4 Year Development Programme for the 2016/17 period. A specific date has not been firmed up as of yet, though tenders have now been received and our consultants are currently examining them.
Regarding any building material from the existing school building. On all Pembrokeshire Housing Association development schemes a Principal Contractor is appointed to coordinate the construction phase of the project. Where demolition precedes any building work, it is the Principal Contractor’s responsibility to competently undertake any demolition and to dispose of all arisings/building material as they see fit. This could involve carting off site to an appropriate landfill, crushing to reuse material as aggregate or hardcore, or a plethora of alternatives. It is the contractor’s decision and as such, will affect the cost of the work. This is standard procedure and reflects the tender documentation.
Due to any demolition material ultimately being the responsibility of the principal contractor, my best suggestion would be that we provide a means of contact between you and the Principal Contractor (once appointed). This will allow you to strike up a dialogue with respect to any recycling or reuse of specific building materials.
The reason for this is that as the client, if we were to retrospectively request that building materials be reclaimed, we would essentially invalidate our tender. An example here would be; if a contractor had priced within their tender to demolish the building and crush the stone to use as hardcore. Suggest we were to then retrospectively request the contractor carefully remove and reclaim the quoin stones of the building. This would cost the contractor greatly in that they would have to supply hardcore from elsewhere, as well as change their method for demolition substantially.
It is with this in mind that I feel a dialogue between the principal contractor and yourself would be appropriate, with the aim of agreeing any potential reclamation of building materials. All of our contractors are registered with Considerate Constructors and as part of the Code of Considerate Practice it would be in their best interest to speak with the local community about this.
The development team have worked with a structural engineer to come up with a solution allowing us to retain the stone wall that bounds with the public footpath to the north of the site. Originally this wall was to be demolished and rebuilt. Where possible, we are endeavouring to retain what we can whilst still satisfying the various regulations that we are subject to as a housing association as well as keeping the scheme financially viable.
Additionally, we would look to retain any historically significant items such as the stone tablet on the northern gable, and would seek to liaise with the Town Council regarding the best solution for this.
We would be happy to engage with the Town Council further on this matter. As for the heritage centre, again it would be bets for the centre to strike up a relationship with the successful contractor once we have reached a decision on who to appoint. Sam will be able to advise further on this once we have appointed the contractor and as the scheme progresses.
Regards
Nigel
From: Adrian James
Sent: 17 April 2016 11:37
To: Nigel Sinnett
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council;
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Dear Nigel,
Many thanks for such a detailed reply. It would be great if you could let me know as soon as you can who the appointed contractor is. From memory I think that the plans, particularly those for the houses abutting Treowen Road will require much removal of material to lower the present ground surface.
It would be excellent if as much of building materials could be salvaged as possible. This would also make for positive publicity for both yourselves and the contractors.
I look forward to hearing from you re: The appointed contractors.
Very best wishes
Adrian
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
From: Nigel Sinnett
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 11:47 AM
To: Adrian James
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council ;
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Ok Adrian, I will ask Sam to liaise with you all on this as things move forward
Regards
Nigel
From: Adrian James
Sent: 18 April 2016 12:25
To: Nigel Sinnett
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council
Subject: Re: Old Pennar School
Hello Nigel
Many thanks. It is much appreciated.
Best wishes
Adrian
 |
| 24 August 2016 |
On 5 Jun 2016, at 00:00, Adrian James wrote:
Dear Nigel
I have heard tonight that demolition of the school is dues to commence over the next fortnight? Is this true?
If this is the case, I am disappointed that this is the case as you clearly undertook to let me know about this. I have had no further communication with PHA since your last email below.
Who are the contractors for the demolition?
Regards
Adrian James
From: Nigel Sinnett
Sent: 05/06/2016 09:11
To: Adrian James
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council; (other addressees have been redacted by AJ)
Subject: Re: Old Pennar School
Not true
What is your source?
Sent from my iPhone
From: Adrian James
Sent: 05 June 2016 16:05
To: Nigel Sinnett
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council; Sam Stalbow (Other recipients have been redacted by AJ)
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Dear Nigel
Thanks for the re-assurance that the demolition is not imminent. I was surprised to hear that the school might be demolished without me being told and I am glad that the inaccurate report seems to have been a case of "Chinese whispers".
My source was someone who lives in Pembrokeshire who had been told this by a normally reliable person "in the know".
I apologise for this mistake, but equally I still feel that the loss of the school is both unnecessary and a major snub to the community of Pennar.
I am sure that I will hear from you or Sam Stalbow in the not too distant future when the contract for the destruction of the school has been settled.
Best wishes
Adrian
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
From: Nigel Sinnett
Sent: 08/06/2016 16:42
To: Adrian James
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council; (Other addressees redacted by AJ) Sam Stalbow
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Adrian, please be assured we will let you know what is happening as we promised
Nigel
From: Adrian James
Sent: 08 June 2016 18:40
To: Nigel Sinnett
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council; (Other addressees redacted by AJ) Sam Stalbow
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Many thanks for that Nigel. I will write to you shortly with another idea!! Apologies for the false alarm before.
Best wishes
Adrian
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
 |
| 24 August 2016 |
From: Sam Stalbow
Sent: 01/08/2016 11:33
To: Adrian James
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council; Nigel Sinnett; Peter Griffiths ; Gareth Rees
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Good morning Adrian,
We have now had a pre-contract meeting with the chosen building contractor and contracts are to be signed shortly. As such, we are in a position where we can tell you that the contractor on the scheme is W.B. Griffiths & Son.
The removal of the stone plaque was raised in our meeting and the contractor are aware that this is something we require as part of the demolition. We have not however been able to give any indication of what is to be done with the plaque other than liaising with yourself and the Town Council.
If you would like to contact W.B. Griffiths regarding this, please see details below:
Peter Griffiths
T: 01437 762674
E: peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk
W: www.wbgriffiths.co.uk
Kind regards,
Sam
From: Adrian James
Sent: 01 August 2016 13:58
To: Sam Stalbow
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Hello Sam
Thanks for the information. I am most grateful. I will get in touch with them.
Best wishes
Adrian
James
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
________________________________________
From: Adrian James
Sent: 01 August 2016 14:41
To: Sam Stalbow
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council <townclerk@pembrokedocktc.org.uk>; Nigel Sinnett ; Peter Griffiths <Peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk>; Gareth Rees <Gareth@wbgriffiths.co.uk> (
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Hello again Sam,
I have had a request from a few people asking if it might be possible to have a look around old Pennar School before it is demolished. They are mostly former pupils.
Might this be possible in the near future?
Best wishes
Adrian
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
From: Sam Stalbow
Sent: 02 August 2016 11:54
To: 'Adrian James'
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council <townclerk@pembrokedocktc.org.uk>; Nigel Sinnett <nigel.sinnett@pembs-ha.co.uk>; Peter Griffiths <Peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk>; Gareth Rees <Gareth@wbgriffiths.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Good morning Adrian,
We unfortunately have the same issues stated by Gareth below. With the services having been disconnected, no lighting, windows and doors boarded up, asbestos containing materials, rubble and debris present - to name a few in particular.
Our insurers and Health & Safety Officer would not want to unduly endanger any member of the public.
Kind regards,
Sam Stalbow
From: Gareth Rees
Sent: 01 August 2016 16:30
To: 'Adrian James'; Sam Stalbow
Cc: Pembroke Dock Town Council; Nigel Sinnett; Peter Griffiths
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Good Afternoon Adrian
If this is to happen then it would have to be before we take possession of the site from Pembrokeshire Housing. Neither our Health and Safety Officer or insurers would not want us to risk having members of the public in the building before demolition in its current condition.
Kind Regards
Gareth Rees
Quantity Surveyor & Estimator
T: 01437 762674
E: gareth@wbgriffiths.co.uk
W: www.wbgriffiths.co.uk
From: Adrian James
Sent: 02 August 2016 16:21
To: 'Sam Stalbow'
Cc: 'Pembroke Dock Town Council' <townclerk@pembrokedocktc.org.uk>; 'Nigel Sinnett' 'Peter Griffiths' <Peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk>; 'Gareth Rees' <Gareth@wbgriffiths.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School
Dear Sam and Peter
I understand completely your reservations about the proposal to allow members of the public to have a look around the school. There are perhaps ways around this, such as asking visitors to sign a “blood chit” (as they do for walks on Castlemartin Range) that inform participants that they undertake the visit entirely at their own risk. Another possibility might be to arrange a one off insurance for the day. However, other things may be more pressing.
Best wishes
Adrian
 |
| 24 August 2016 |
From: Adrian James
Sent: 02 August 2016 16:30
To: enquiries@wbgriffiths.co.uk; enquiries@wbgriffiths.co.uk
Cc: Nigel Sinnett 'Peter Griffiths' Gareth@wbgriffiths.co.uk; 'Sam Stalbow' , Pembroke Dock Town Council
<townclerk@pembrokedocktc.org.uk>; '
Subject: Attn: Directors and Secretary of W B Griffiths & Son
Limited
Importance: High
Dear Sirs and Madam
Please read the attached correspondence.
Best wishes
Adrian James
The text of the attached letter follows:
East Bergholt
Colchester
Essex (Suffolk really!)
W B Griffiths & Son Limited
55 Prendergast
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 2PF
United Kingdom
2 August 2016
Dear Messrs and Mrs Griffiths
I am writing to you, in your capacity of company director/s and secretary, to ask for a few favours in relation to your company’s contract with Pembrokeshire Housing Association (PHA) and the building of housing on the site of The Old Pennar School in Treowen Road, Pembroke Dock.
Firstly, may I ask when you expect to take possession of the site and commence your works?
As you are doubtlessly aware, the decision to destroy the school (not of your making!) has raised many objections locally and it continues to be a contentious issue. It would go a long way to placating this negative feeling if some positive acknowledgement of the heritage of the place could be made as part of the project.
See the blog at www.saveoldpennarschool.blogspot.com for some information on the depth of feeling about this.
I understand that in your recent meeting with PHA there was some discussion about the preservation of the dedication tablet in the north gable of the school. I have yet to confirm where this might be installed on a permanent basis, but I am actively pursuing several possibilities. I may be that it will have to put into storage until a suitable location can be found. I am happy to arrange such storage if, unfortunately, it becomes necessary in the short term.
I would also be grateful if you could let me know what your intentions are for the architectural items such as dressed stone, roofing timbers and slates, as well as fire-places and classroom fittings such as the old folding partitions. I understand that these have a value on the open market as architectural salvage (see my blog post at www.saveoldpennarschool.blogspot.com ), but equally well it would demonstrate community spirit and provide good publicity if some of these items could be used in local heritage projects, perhaps for a nominal sum.
It would be a great shame if the stone was to be used entirely for hardcore on the site or elsewhere, but equally well I do understand that the disposal of this material and any money that could be made from its sale may well have been factored into your bid for the contract. However, again, limestone rubble for the reconstruction of old walls (to preserve local built heritage) within the limestone belt of south Pembrokeshire is not easily found these days.
I would also welcome the opportunity to be present at some points as the demolition proceeds with a view to studying the building techniques and materials used in the construction of the school
I would very glad of the opportunity to discuss these points with you, if possible, in the near future.
A little about myself. As you see from my address at the head of this letter, I now live in Suffolk. However, I am part owner of a property in Cross Park, Pennar, that belonged to my parents and where I and my siblings were brought up. My mother (Mrs Delys James) taught at The Old Pennar School before moving to the new site in Owen Street, Pennar. I attended Old Pennar School until I was twelve years old. I am also in the process of buying a rare example of an untouched Pembroke Dock cottage in [Pembroke Dock - exact address redacted]. The house is about to be listed (on my instigation) and it is my intention to make it the focus of a local heritage project.
Having read the details about some of your projects on your website I can see that as a company you have sound ethical principles and I am hoping that we can aim for a positive outcome for the above points
Yours sincerely
Adrian James
www.saveoldpennarschool.blogspot.com
The email was delivered to all the recipients, but "bounced" from the contact email address for WB Griffiths (enquiries@wbgriffiths,co,uk
After three weeks, having had no reply from any of the above parties, I resent the email as below. This time just to Mr Peter Griffiths of WB Griffiths & Son Ltd.. No receipt was requested as it was sent from my phone. There has been no reply.
From: Adrian James [mailto:adriantajames@hotmail.com]
Sent: 22 August 2016 16:16
To: Peter Griffiths (Peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk) <Peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk>
Subject: Old Pennar School Contract
Importance: High
Dear Mr Griffiths
I am re-sending this letter (attached) by email in case you did not have sight of it before.
I hope you will be able to reply soon
Best wishes
Adrian James
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
I again sent the email with attachment to the same list of addressees, this time with all as first hand recipients. This was sent at 0830 26 August 2016.
From: Adrian James
Sent: 26 August 2016 09:32
To: enquiries@wbgriffiths.co.uk; Nigel Sinnett; Peter@wbgriffiths.co.uk; Gareth@wbgriffiths.co.uk; Sam Stalbow; townclerk@pembrokedocktc.org.uk
Subject: Old Pennar School Attn: Directors and Secretary of W B Griffiths & Son Limited and all addressees
Importance: High
Dear All
Having received no response from anyone at WB Griffiths & Sons to my email (with attachment) of 2 August 2016, I am resending the correspondence in the hope that I might get a reply from someone. I understand that work is due to commence on the site at the start of September and answers to the points I have made in the attached letter would be most appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future. I will be in Pembrokeshire from the start of September and would welcome the opportunity to discuss things.
Regards
Adrian James
This time, I received a prompt reply from Sam Stalbow, at Pembrokeshire Housing Association, as below.
Good morning Adrian,
I have recently been in touch
with Cllr Tony Wilcox regarding the stone tablet. Cllr Wilcox informed me that
the tablet was to be relocated at the Community Hall across the road from the
School. WBG are aware of this and will be in contact with Cllr Wilcox to
arrange the exact details closer to the time of relocation.
Relating to the other points
contained within your correspondence, I have requested that somebody working on
the scheme at WBG could respond to you on these.
Kind regards,
Sam Stalbow
From: Sam Stalbow [Sam.Stalbow@pembs-ha.co.uk]
Sent: 26 August 2016 10:10
To: Adrian James
Subject: FW: Old Pennar School Attn: Directors and Secretary of W B Griffiths & Son Limited and all addressees
Hi Adrian,
Quick follow-up to my email below [see above]. I have spoken directly with WBG and they has assured me that they are not ignoring you. They are working on possible solutions and will contact you shortly once they are in a position to give you some answers to your questions.
Kind regards,
Sam
From: Adrian James [mailto:adriantajames@hotmail.com]
Sent: 26 August 2016 10:14
To: 'Sam Stalbow' <Sam.Stalbow@pembs-ha.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Old Pennar School Attn: Directors and Secretary of W B Griffiths & Son Limited and all addressees
Hello Sam
Many thanks for your reply. It is, as always appreciated. I will be posting a new blog post about the recent developments later today. I have made extensive use of email correspondence (or in some cases lack of it!).
Thanks for your help.
Best wishes
Adrian
www.pdboyinsuffolk.blogspot.com
www.saveoldpennarschool.blogspot.com
When I know more, I shall post again.
