Demolition order refused for former station building in Warwickshire village
A FORMER railway building at risk of demolition is still standing… at least for a bit longer.
Station House – a Victorian building in Station Road, Salford Priors – had been the subject of a demolition request by the owners, Bomford Turner.
But that request, which sparked concern and opposition among many people in the village, has been refused by Stratford District Council.
The building, which Bomford said has not been used since the early 2000s and is in an unsafe condition, is one of a few remaining buildings with links to the long-closed railway line between Alcester and Evesham.
In a letter to Bomford, the council said: “Having considered your application for prior approval, Stratford District Council confirms that prior approval is refused and planning permission is required.”
The letter adds: “Having carried out a site visit, received consultation responses and third-party comments, along with assessing the information provided as part of the application, the [council] considers that the building is unsafe and uninhabitable due to the action or inaction of any person having an interest in the land, and that it is practicable to secure safety or health by works of repair or works for affording temporary support.”
The initial refusal will give villagers opposed to the demolition more time to fight for the building’s future, with many hoping it could be brought back into use rather than razed.
There are also moves to get the building listed, which then brings its own protections and puts certain requirements on the owners.
Cllr Lauren Stanley (Con), who represents the area on the parish and district councils, stressed the refusal was a first step only and does not secure the future of the building.
More than 60 people submitted comments to the district council in opposition to the demolition, with some suggesting the site could be turned into a museum or community building.
However, as previously reported by the Herald, Bomford Turner said its site is used for heavy engineering and it would not be possible to have members of the public using it.
A spokesman said: “Non-staff members are restricted from freely navigating the premises. Therefore, even if restoration were feasible, the building cannot be repurposed for community use due to these safety and security constraints.”
Bomford was contacted by the Herald to see if it would be making a planning application to demolish Station House. The company replied that it was considering the council’s decision.
The railway line was opened in the village in 1866 and services continued until 1962 with the official closure the following year.