The contract for the demolition and subsequent building of housing for Pembrokeshire Housing Association (PHA) has been granted as per the text of the email from Mr Sam Stalbow of PHA below:
EXTRACT START
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
EXTRACT END
I have also had some requests asking for an opportunity to look over the school for one last time. I have written to ask if this would be possible and have received a reply. See my next post!
Showing posts with label Pennar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pennar. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Old Pennar School......an update.
This is the first post post on this blog for rather a long time - too long I think.
The title of Old Pennar School has now be lodged with the land registry under the ownership of Pembrokeshire Housing Association. They paid £105,000 for the place.
The title has several covenants attached to it. If anyone can explain the purpose and significance of them I would be very grateful!
I have recently been in touch with Mr Nigel Sinnett of the Pembrokeshire Housing Association. I sent the email on or about 7 April 2016. A copy of my email is below:
I hope you and yours are well. I have a few questions about the work that
PHA will be undertaking at Old Pennar School.
Since writing the above letter it occurred to me that there is a need for a stock of traditional building materials to be maintained in the area of South Pembrokeshire for appropriate renovation projects on old buildings, particularly those listed or in the Pembroke Dock Conservation Area.
(At this point I shall make a relevant aside.... The need for such a supply of architectural salvage was made evident, several years ago, when my Auntie, who lived on Upper Row on Golden Hill in Pembroke, noticed workmen digging in the gutters outside her house. It transpired that they were lifting the old limestone kerbing and gutter setts (and replacing them with concrete!) so that the originals could be used to enhance the streets in Tenby. I thought it was outrageous then and I still think that today.)
The reply that I received form Mr Sinnett, on 15 April 2016, was both full and positive:
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 best 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
I have this evening, 5 June 2016, heard unconfirmed reports. that the demolition of the school is imminent. I have not received any further correspondence from Pembrokeshire Housing Association, despite their assurances that they would be in touch.
AJ. 5/6/16
The title of Old Pennar School has now be lodged with the land registry under the ownership of Pembrokeshire Housing Association. They paid £105,000 for the place.
The title has several covenants attached to it. If anyone can explain the purpose and significance of them I would be very grateful!
I have recently been in touch with Mr Nigel Sinnett of the Pembrokeshire Housing Association. I sent the email on or about 7 April 2016. A copy of my email is below:
Dear Nigel
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 almost within view of the school that has been virtually untouched
since being built in about 1880 – 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 ben 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
in Bufferland/Pennar is attached.
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 form 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
Since writing the above letter it occurred to me that there is a need for a stock of traditional building materials to be maintained in the area of South Pembrokeshire for appropriate renovation projects on old buildings, particularly those listed or in the Pembroke Dock Conservation Area.
(At this point I shall make a relevant aside.... The need for such a supply of architectural salvage was made evident, several years ago, when my Auntie, who lived on Upper Row on Golden Hill in Pembroke, noticed workmen digging in the gutters outside her house. It transpired that they were lifting the old limestone kerbing and gutter setts (and replacing them with concrete!) so that the originals could be used to enhance the streets in Tenby. I thought it was outrageous then and I still think that today.)
The reply that I received form Mr Sinnett, on 15 April 2016, was both full and positive:
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 best 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
I have this evening, 5 June 2016, heard unconfirmed reports. that the demolition of the school is imminent. I have not received any further correspondence from Pembrokeshire Housing Association, despite their assurances that they would be in touch.
AJ. 5/6/16
Saturday, 29 August 2015
Old Pennar School - Response to Request for Listing.
Hello All!
I have finally received a reply to my request to CADW to review the listing status of Old Pennar school.
The first part of the email is my response to their decision, which is printed in full below.
Start.
Dear Rhodri
Many thanks for the reply to my request for a review of the listing of Old Pennar School. I am disappointed by this reply. This will clearly make Pennar a "free fire" zone for developers and dramatically erode the sense of place and community within this ward of Pembroke Dock and add to the disenchantment and sense of abandonment amongst the residents.
The scheme whereby Pembrokeshire County Council is able to determine local listing is, quite frankly, nonsense. They are already the property owners and the arbiters of planning decisions. Such an arrangement is both lacking in transparency and open to abuse. The Welsh Government is short sighted and abdicating its responsibilities if it allows this policy to continue.
I will now try and find out what is to happen to the good quality limestone from the demolition or the roofing material. Will PCC have the sense to claim it for work in renovating properties in the local conservation area? I doubt it.
Still no listed buildings in Pennar.
Best wishes
Adrian
Www.saveoldpennarschool.blogspot.com
PS. I have identified another property in PD that may be worthy of Grade II listing, having compared its interior to the original building drawings, of which I have copies, it is virtually untouched. C.1900. I shall be in touch.
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Rhodri.Kelly@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK
Sent: 28/08/2015 14:13
To: adriantajames@hotmail.com
Subject: Old Pennar School, pembroke Dock
Dear Mr James,
Thank you for your emails asking Cadw to consider Old Pennar School, Pembroke Dock for listing, and for the information provided in support of this request. I am sorry that I have not been able to reply to you sooner.
As explained in the email dated 30 April which was issued by my colleague, Tina Moverley, the school would have been looked at for listing in 1994 when Cadw resurveyed the entire Pembroke Dock community for historic buildings. Pembroke Dock is a relatively intensive area for listing and we are confident that the fieldwork included the locality of Pennar, and that the school was seen, given its building type and location, but rejected as it did not meet the published strict criteria for listing. Cadw’s Historic Buildings Inspector has carefully reconsidered the case for listing in light of your request and the information you have kindly provided, but has advised that there is nothing to suggest that the building’s significance was overlooked previously.
We acknowledge that the building has some historic interest as an early board school and there are some points of architectural interest (the stone detailing to the exterior, the roof structure where visible and the one surviving fireplace). However, it has been altered through historic extensions and later changes such as the plastic windows, internal boarding and removal of features and as a result of these alterations, is no longer considered to be a good example of its type. There are better examples of early schools and those that are listed set the benchmark against which new candidate buildings are assessed. In this instance, there are comparable buildings that are more architecturally distinguished at the national level and listed as being better examples of this building type with exceptional architectural character. For example:
Former Church School, St Davids. 1873 former National or Church School.
Former Capel Dewi School, Llanarthney. Listed as a well-preserved and good example of an 1870-Education-Act village school.
Barham Memorial School, Trecwn. Included as a well-designed and executed later Victorian school, with advanced architectural detail unusual for the period.
Cwmbach County Primary School, Whitland. Included as a little-altered C19 primary school building, of group value with the chapel adjoining.
You should also be aware that listing is not intended to be a preservation order or a block on development, but rather a planning marker designed to sympathetically manage change in historically and architecturally important properties.
I appreciate that the absence of a statutory listing will be disappointing to you, but as the strict criteria for listing are not met, there is no basis on which to list. The option of local listing is available to a local planning authority and while local listing in itself does not protect such buildings from demolition, it can be a material consideration in the planning process. You may wish to take this up with Pembrokeshire County Council.
Kind Regards,
Rhodri Kelly
Rhodri Kelly
Gwasanaeth Amgylchedd Hanesyddol (Cadw) / Historic Environment Service (Cadw)
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Ffôn / Tel: (01443) 336003
Ffacs / Fax: (01443) 336001
E-bost: kellyr@cymru.gsi.gov.uk / E-mail: kellyr@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Helpwch yr amgylchedd - peidiwch ag argraffu hon os nad oes gwir raid.
Help our environment - only print this if really necessary.
Dilynwch Cadw / Follow Cadw:
www.cadw.cymru.gov.uk | www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
www.facebook.com/pages/Cadw/254566024556911 <span style="font-size:10
End
I have finally received a reply to my request to CADW to review the listing status of Old Pennar school.
The first part of the email is my response to their decision, which is printed in full below.
Start.
Dear Rhodri
Many thanks for the reply to my request for a review of the listing of Old Pennar School. I am disappointed by this reply. This will clearly make Pennar a "free fire" zone for developers and dramatically erode the sense of place and community within this ward of Pembroke Dock and add to the disenchantment and sense of abandonment amongst the residents.
The scheme whereby Pembrokeshire County Council is able to determine local listing is, quite frankly, nonsense. They are already the property owners and the arbiters of planning decisions. Such an arrangement is both lacking in transparency and open to abuse. The Welsh Government is short sighted and abdicating its responsibilities if it allows this policy to continue.
I will now try and find out what is to happen to the good quality limestone from the demolition or the roofing material. Will PCC have the sense to claim it for work in renovating properties in the local conservation area? I doubt it.
Still no listed buildings in Pennar.
Best wishes
Adrian
Www.saveoldpennarschool.blogspot.com
PS. I have identified another property in PD that may be worthy of Grade II listing, having compared its interior to the original building drawings, of which I have copies, it is virtually untouched. C.1900. I shall be in touch.
Sent from my Windows Phone so apologies for typos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Rhodri.Kelly@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK
Sent: 28/08/2015 14:13
To: adriantajames@hotmail.com
Subject: Old Pennar School, pembroke Dock
Dear Mr James,
Thank you for your emails asking Cadw to consider Old Pennar School, Pembroke Dock for listing, and for the information provided in support of this request. I am sorry that I have not been able to reply to you sooner.
As explained in the email dated 30 April which was issued by my colleague, Tina Moverley, the school would have been looked at for listing in 1994 when Cadw resurveyed the entire Pembroke Dock community for historic buildings. Pembroke Dock is a relatively intensive area for listing and we are confident that the fieldwork included the locality of Pennar, and that the school was seen, given its building type and location, but rejected as it did not meet the published strict criteria for listing. Cadw’s Historic Buildings Inspector has carefully reconsidered the case for listing in light of your request and the information you have kindly provided, but has advised that there is nothing to suggest that the building’s significance was overlooked previously.
We acknowledge that the building has some historic interest as an early board school and there are some points of architectural interest (the stone detailing to the exterior, the roof structure where visible and the one surviving fireplace). However, it has been altered through historic extensions and later changes such as the plastic windows, internal boarding and removal of features and as a result of these alterations, is no longer considered to be a good example of its type. There are better examples of early schools and those that are listed set the benchmark against which new candidate buildings are assessed. In this instance, there are comparable buildings that are more architecturally distinguished at the national level and listed as being better examples of this building type with exceptional architectural character. For example:
Former Church School, St Davids. 1873 former National or Church School.
Former Capel Dewi School, Llanarthney. Listed as a well-preserved and good example of an 1870-Education-Act village school.
Barham Memorial School, Trecwn. Included as a well-designed and executed later Victorian school, with advanced architectural detail unusual for the period.
Cwmbach County Primary School, Whitland. Included as a little-altered C19 primary school building, of group value with the chapel adjoining.
You should also be aware that listing is not intended to be a preservation order or a block on development, but rather a planning marker designed to sympathetically manage change in historically and architecturally important properties.
I appreciate that the absence of a statutory listing will be disappointing to you, but as the strict criteria for listing are not met, there is no basis on which to list. The option of local listing is available to a local planning authority and while local listing in itself does not protect such buildings from demolition, it can be a material consideration in the planning process. You may wish to take this up with Pembrokeshire County Council.
Kind Regards,
Rhodri Kelly
Rhodri Kelly
Gwasanaeth Amgylchedd Hanesyddol (Cadw) / Historic Environment Service (Cadw)
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Ffôn / Tel: (01443) 336003
Ffacs / Fax: (01443) 336001
E-bost: kellyr@cymru.gsi.gov.uk / E-mail: kellyr@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Helpwch yr amgylchedd - peidiwch ag argraffu hon os nad oes gwir raid.
Help our environment - only print this if really necessary.
Dilynwch Cadw / Follow Cadw:
www.cadw.cymru.gov.uk | www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
www.facebook.com/pages/Cadw/254566024556911 <span style="font-size:10
End
Thursday, 27 August 2015
Demolish Old Pennar School - Demolition Approved.
I am downhearted today. The application to demolish Old Pennar School was determined yesterday and conditional planning approval was given.
I feel a massive sense of injustice in the whole affair - but it is not over yet. There could be a Judicial Review! More about this in a later post........
Progress is progress, but at what price? Should one of the few buildings left in Pennar, that holds a communal connection with the past be eradicated to provide yet more housing?
That people need places to live cannot be denied - it is a human right to be able to live, with your family, where you wish. Does this mean that everything else is subsidiary to this? I think not! The basis of society is family. As Mrs Doubtfire said, "There are all sorts of different families, Katie.", and family is a generational thing. A community of families needs a sense of place, an identity - this is the cement of a civilised society and places the community in both time and space. Do people want to live in a landscape devoid of any concrete statement of their communal heritage?
My experience as a teacher for many years has taught me that a school is focus for a community. "School days are the happiest days of your life" - not true for all, but so true for the majority. School days are NOT, in our memories, about the 3Rs - they are about the teachers who made a connection with us, the social life of the playground, the subversive passing of notes, the moaning about school dinners, the adoration of spotted dick and custard, the friends we made, the "falling outs" we had (a girl thing mainly;)) and the tumult of learning about how to deal with the vast complexity of life.
All these things happen in a school. A school is a place where - in the case of Old Pennar School - there were:
....outside loos, frozen milk, coal burner fires in the classroom, football or "Kingy" at break, marbles in the pits along the lane into school. The teachers and their foibles, the screaming swifts, Pioneers, Discoverers, Adventurers and Pilgrims. I was a Pilgrim!
and more.....
Stephen Butland and myself in the wheel-barrow race!!! Football practice in the park - "Sir, I think I've pulled a muscle!"; "James, I didn't know you had any muscles!" Pride in your own stories read out in class or your art work posted on the walls of the classroom. Lizards and shrews in your desk after lunch. Allowed home early for good work. Watching the launch of the QE2 with Mrs Harris......
How many of us have deliberately driven past our old schools to show our young passengers where we went to school and revisit tales of classroom derring-do?
None of the above plays any role in the planning process. The decision to demolish old buildings is reduced to the type of thing that is written below:
Planning Application - Details
Having regard to the details of the application proposals, and the relevant provisions of the Local Development Plan for Pembrokeshire (adopted 28 February 2013) as summarised below Policies SP 1, SP 14, GN.1, GN.2, GN.26 and GN.37 It is considered that subject to compliance with the conditions attached in this permission, the proposed development would be in accordance with the Development Plan. This informative is intended only to be a summary of the reasons for the granting of planning permission. For further details on the decision, please see the application report under the above reference.
I remain unclear about the details in the "application report under the above reference" . I can't find it or indeed the reference??
The documents relating to the application can be found on the PCC Planning website at reference: 14/1098/PA
I will be writing more about this very soon. Meanwhile, there are threads running on the following Facebook Groups.
I Live in Pembrokeshire and I Love it!"
Pembroke and Pembroke Dock in Old Photographs
Pennar, Pembroke Dock in Old Photographs
Also see Facebook Page: Save Old Pennar School
Friday, 21 August 2015
Old Pennar School - Getting the Building Listed (Part 5)
Apologies for the rather long gap between postings, but there has been little news to report on Old Pennar School.
However, I can post some more information from the document I submitted to CADW re: the listing of the Old School.
However, I can post some more information from the document I submitted to CADW re: the listing of the Old School.
More to follow very soon!
Friday, 7 August 2015
Save Old Pennar School - getting the building listed (Part 4)
Apologies for the lull in posts, but other things have cropped up.
As part of the the request for listing a building you are also asked to give the historical background to the building.
For Old Pennar School, there is information in files in The National Archives and at Pembrokeshire Archives, as well as some old newspaper reports and documents in private hands.
Files in The National Archives include ED 21/67383, an extract of which is reproduced, courtesy of TNA. This is a school inspector's report from 1938, and is interesting as it mentions how some of the classrooms were arranged.
As part of the the request for listing a building you are also asked to give the historical background to the building.
For Old Pennar School, there is information in files in The National Archives and at Pembrokeshire Archives, as well as some old newspaper reports and documents in private hands.
Files in The National Archives include ED 21/67383, an extract of which is reproduced, courtesy of TNA. This is a school inspector's report from 1938, and is interesting as it mentions how some of the classrooms were arranged.
In the Pembrokeshire Archives are files that tell us what the school was like initially.
Details of
specification and cost. This shows that the school initially comprised three
classrooms.
Mixed Girls School Room:
50 ft x 20 ft x 26 ft high
20ft x 15 ft x 20 ft
high
Infants classroom
50ft x 20ft x 26ft high
The school
was remodelled in 1894 to provide an extra infants classroom. Cost was £270.
30ft x 18ft
x 16ft high (Wall Plate 12 ft)
In 1897 the school accommodated 123 Girls and 193
Infants.
The school
was again enlarged in 1901, bringing it up to its present form.
Mixed Girls School Room:
51 ft x 20 ft x 20 ft high
46ft x 20 ft x 20 ft
high
20ft x 20 ft x 20 ft
high
Infants classroom
33 ft x 24 ft x 20 ft
22 ft x 24 ft x 20 ft
30 ft x 19 ft x 18 ft
The extract below from my submission to CADW for listing, explains (in part) the relationship between the bombing of the Oil Tanks (In August 1940) and Old Pennar School:
I shall give you a few more extracts in my next post.
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Old Pennar School - Getting the building listed (Part 3)
Having given information as to the location of the building, and some photographs of the outside, we can now look at the internal features of this Victorian Board School. Below is only a sample of the photographs I submitted, but you will get the general gist of the place! You also need to have quite a bit of vision too! Modern suspended ceilings and plasterboard cover much of interest - but the interesting bits are still there!
In the next post we will look at the historical background of the building - the next section of information that CADW requires to enable it to review the listing of a building.
In the next post we will look at the historical background of the building - the next section of information that CADW requires to enable it to review the listing of a building.
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Old Pennar School - Getting the building listed (Part 2)
Cadw also ask for some modern photographs of the building. A selection of the exterior views I provided in this instance follows:
Next, we will have a look inside!
Next, we will have a look inside!
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Old Pennar School and the Oil Tanks Fire (Part 2)
I would like YOU to do something for me ...please.
The 19th August, this summer, will be the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of the oil tanks at Pennar, just above Llanreath. Old Pennar School is where many, many firemen from all over Pembrokeshire, from Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff and other parts of Wales sought refuge and rest from the searing heat of the conflagration less that a mile up the road. The Church Hall opposite the school acted as a first aid post and official reports recount how the local population opened their hearts, homes and rations to the fire fighters.
The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, with the Sunderland Trust, is planning to commemorate the events of those (literally) dark days with a church service and exhibition/display in the Garrison Chapel.
Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Housing Association have proposed an alternative commemoration.... demolish one of the few (only) buildings in Pembroke Dock/Pennar associated with what was an historic event in the history of war time Britain.
The 19th August, this summer, will be the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of the oil tanks at Pennar, just above Llanreath. Old Pennar School is where many, many firemen from all over Pembrokeshire, from Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff and other parts of Wales sought refuge and rest from the searing heat of the conflagration less that a mile up the road. The Church Hall opposite the school acted as a first aid post and official reports recount how the local population opened their hearts, homes and rations to the fire fighters.
The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, with the Sunderland Trust, is planning to commemorate the events of those (literally) dark days with a church service and exhibition/display in the Garrison Chapel.
Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Housing Association have proposed an alternative commemoration.... demolish one of the few (only) buildings in Pembroke Dock/Pennar associated with what was an historic event in the history of war time Britain.
Nothing if not crass.
Why not drop Pembrokeshire Housing Association a polite email or letter letting them know how insensitive to the feelings of the community of Pennar their proposal is?
Here are their contact details:
Registered Office:
Meyler House,
St. Thomas' Green,
Haverfordwest,
Pembrokeshire.
SA61 1QP
You may wish to to make your comments for the attention of:
Mr Nigel Sinnett
or
Mr Sam Salgo
Note: Photograph courtesy of Rosemary Norton whose mother took this shot whilst stationed in Pembroke Dock
— at Military Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock.Monday, 22 June 2015
Old Pennar School - Requiem to Mr Isaac Hughes, builder
I have tried to find out a little more about the builder who built Old Pennar School in about 1872/3.
He was a Mr Isaac Hughes, who when he died in 1874, lived in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock.
He was a Mr Isaac Hughes, who when he died in 1874, lived in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock.
The witnesses to his will were Michael Morgan Builder of Pembroke Dock and Isaac Cadogan, Stonemason, of Pembroke Dock. He left everything to his wife.
In 1861, Isaac, a joiner who hailed from Reynoldston, shared a house with another joiner at 15(?) Lewis Street. Ten years later he was living with his wife Mary, his four children and a servant in Gwyther Street, probably at 1 Gwyther Street South, because that is where his widow and 5 children, were living in 1881. His eldest child, Elizabeth, who would have been 19 years old in 1881, no longer lived at the address.
Isaac was about 36 years old when he died. He wrote his will on 9 April 1874 and died on 20 April, 11 days later.
The Board School in Pennar opened in 1873, the year before Isaac died. An oft quoted memorial (I am sure that someone can tell me where it originated) is particularly apt in Isaac's case. If you stand in the playground, between the two wings of Old Pennar School, as the swifts scream their requiem over your head.......
"If you seek his memorial, just look around you"
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
A Trip Around Old Pennar School
In a spare moment I have put together a video (on my phone). A bit lumpy in parts, but worth a look?
Regrettably, I have been unable to gain access to the interior of the building, but negotiations are continuing. Click the link below to see the the trip:
Link: A walk to and around Old Pennar School
The journey starts with a walk down Treowen Road, heading south, and the school appears on the skyline. After a few reminders of the meeting on 11 June 2015, there is a succession of still shots which look at the school from the east, take you along the path on the north side of the building to the west entrance, past Gothic Cottages. We then go into the site via the west lane and walk around the building in a clockwise direction.
Note how good the roof is! Note how good the interior looks. Well done to PCC for keeping things safe!
Remember the Open Meeting to discuss the plan to demolish Old Pennar School on:
Regrettably, I have been unable to gain access to the interior of the building, but negotiations are continuing. Click the link below to see the the trip:
Link: A walk to and around Old Pennar School
The journey starts with a walk down Treowen Road, heading south, and the school appears on the skyline. After a few reminders of the meeting on 11 June 2015, there is a succession of still shots which look at the school from the east, take you along the path on the north side of the building to the west entrance, past Gothic Cottages. We then go into the site via the west lane and walk around the building in a clockwise direction.
Note how good the roof is! Note how good the interior looks. Well done to PCC for keeping things safe!
Remember the Open Meeting to discuss the plan to demolish Old Pennar School on:
11 June 2015
7 pm
Pennar Hall
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Save Old Pennar School - PCC forget to follow their own plans!
First of all, I must apologise in advance. The post below is pretty boring, but to challenge the demolition of Old Pennar School we all have to be understanding of the way the planners will make their decisions. Here goes........ if it matters, you will keep up!
Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) has a Local Development Plan (LDP).
The full document can be downloaded from PCC LDP. The link will also give you
access to some very clear maps of Pembrokeshire which are very useful for building up an insight into the future "layout" of the county.
Naturally, given my attachment to and love of Pembrokeshire, I have read this document and have noticed a few things...........
This glossy booklet of 184 pages sets out what the County Council's vision for the future of Pembrokeshire is. It was adopted in February 2013 and it is the document that guides the future decision making of the council. The forward by Councillor Rob Lewis says, in part,
"This Local Development Plan provides the framework for decisions to be made up
until 2021 on how land is used and developed, for example what type of
development is appropriate or desirable for Pembrokeshire’s economy,
communities and environment and how best to secure resilience to climate
change and to bring forward affordable housing through the Planning System. It is
the culmination of a major piece of work that has included engaging with the
community, stakeholders, and elected members over a number of years and its
completion and adoption is a significant milestone for the County Council."
I wonder how much the process all cost? Another day perhaps...... However, we all need rules to guide us....................?
In relation to the future of Old Pennar School, the sections on General Policy, that relate to Affordable Housing and the site of the school, are particularly relevant
GN.26 Residential Development p. 110
GN.27 Residential Allocations p. 113
GN.28 Local Needs Affordable Housing p. 116
GN.29 Exception Sites for Local Needs Affordable Housing p. 118
GN.33 Community Facilities p. 121
GN.37 Protection and Enhancement of Biodiversity p. 126
GN.38 Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment p. 127
The LDP (page 111) gives PCC policy in relation to redevelopment
of sites for housing as:
“6.111 Redevelopment or replacement can allow the
development of housing accommodation which is better adapted to meeting present
and future housing needs, contribute to energy efficiency and reduced carbon
dioxide levels as long as the quality of the environment is enhanced. The
existing dwelling should not be a Listed Building, or an important building
that defines the character of an area.”
Demolishing the school will erode the identity of Pennar.
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| A view of the east wing of Old Pennar School |
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| Pennar Hall, used as a canteen for the school and church Sunday school |
Please help stop this local landmark form being demolished!!
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| St Patrick's, Pennar, from the East |
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| The view form the entrance to the park just up the road and opposite Old Pennar School. Here sports days, football and cricket games took place, overlooking medieval Pembroke |
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| Military Road from the park gates |
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| Treowen Road from in front of the church and hall |
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Old Pennar School - Fight the Good Fight
It is good to find such a sympathetic planning application for a property not a million miles away from Old Pennar School.
St Andrew's Church in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, closed a while ago. It has a beautiful interior, but dwindling congregation numbers have forced the inevitable.
It has been acquired by the Pembroke Amateur Boxing Club. The statement on the planning application is admirable!
More details of the application can be found here.
If only the same could be said for the application to redevelop Old Pennar School!!!
Remember, the open meeting is on the 11 June. Do come along!
St Andrew's Church in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, closed a while ago. It has a beautiful interior, but dwindling congregation numbers have forced the inevitable.
It has been acquired by the Pembroke Amateur Boxing Club. The statement on the planning application is admirable!
More details of the application can be found here.
If only the same could be said for the application to redevelop Old Pennar School!!!
Remember, the open meeting is on the 11 June. Do come along!
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Old Pennar School - The Swifts Return!
A short video of the swifts screaming over Pennar School. I think they arrived on Friday!!
The road sounds pretty busy too!
Old Pennar School - Open Meeting on 11 June 2015
The meeting is at Pennar Hall, Treowen Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6SN.
See the poster below. See you there!
See the poster below. See you there!
Friday, 15 May 2015
Old Pennar School - Open Public Meeting 11 June 2015
Good News! There is to be Public Open Public Meeting about the future of Old Pennar School on 11 June 2015.
There will be a Public Meeting held on the 11th of June at St Patrick's Hall at 7 o'clock to discuss the Planning Application by Pembrokeshire Housing , Attending will be Pembrokeshire Housing Association (PHA), Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), Alison Lee Cabinet member for Housing.
Come along and have your say.
St Patrick's Church Hall can be found by clicking the link.
Other useful links:
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Old Pennar School - Getting to Local Amenities
The planning application for the Old Pennar School Site quotes the following distances to local amenities:
I thought I would look into these, using a bit of local knowledge and a lot of Google Earth.
This is what I found. You can argue with the routes taken, but the grid design of PD makes for quite a bit of variety in routing, but not so much distances.
The Google Earth bit - I'm afraid the Pictures will spill over the page. If you cannot see them all, then I'll put up different size ones. Just let me know.
I think the developer or his architect went by helicopter. Have you seen any about lately?
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Distance quoted by developer’s agents.
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Convenience Shop – 150 metres
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Local Shopping Centre - 500
metres
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Doctors – 1300 metres
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School – 600 metres
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Public Open Space – 500 metres
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Train Station - 1400 metres
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I thought I would look into these, using a bit of local knowledge and a lot of Google Earth.
This is what I found. You can argue with the routes taken, but the grid design of PD makes for quite a bit of variety in routing, but not so much distances.
|
Distance quoted by developer’s agents. Probably straight line
distances.
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Walking or driving distances are:
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Drive
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Walk
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Convenience Shop – 150 metres
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480 metres
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190 metres
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Local Shopping Centre - 500
metres
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2000 metres
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1370 metres
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Doctors – 1300 metres
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2120 metres
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1480 metres
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School – 600 metres
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420 metres
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420 metres
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Public Open Space – 500 metres
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960 metres
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400 metres
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Train Station - 1400 metres
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1850 metres
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1520 metres
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The Google Earth bit - I'm afraid the Pictures will spill over the page. If you cannot see them all, then I'll put up different size ones. Just let me know.
I think the developer or his architect went by helicopter. Have you seen any about lately?
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