Latest news with #PrestonPark
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Preston Park lodge demolition plans rejected by Stockton Council
Plans to knock down a vandalised lodge and replace it with a partial replica of itself have been refused by Council's planning committee decided the money would be better spent restoring the South Lodge, near Preston Park Museum in Stockton, after it was "left to rot and ruin".After a narrow vote, councillors rejected the authority's plan to demolish the condemned lodge and build a piece of public officers said the building was of "low architectural importance". The lodge was built between 1919 and 1939 to replace an earlier building and was used as a home until 2019, according to the Local Democracy Reporting is currently unused and boarded proposed structure would have consisted of three arch-like alloy steel structures with boards showing the history of the area. Planning officers recommended approving the scheme but Councillor John Coulson called the proposed structure "monstrous". Councillor Tony Riordan said: "I'm concerned that, once we're allowed to get rid of an asset, it's gone, it doesn't come back."Would that money not be better spent preserving what is a building in curtilage of a heritage asset."Councillor Lynn Hall told the committee: "We've left it to rot and ruin really.""I don't think we've looked at any alternatives. "Once that lodge goes, it's gone forever. We should be trying to keep it at all costs." Planning services manager Simon Grundy said the lodge was considered of "low architectural importance" and only of historical significance because of its ties to the Grade II Preston said its loss would be "marginally outweighed by the public benefits" of the sculpture voted seven to six to refuse the plan. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Preston Park aviary works begin, as major revamp continues
Works to revamp a popular aviary, as part of a multi-million upgrade of a local park, are due to Preston Park is undergoing significant redevelopment after the council secured £20m in government Levelling Up funds for the regeneration of the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area. Preston Park's aviary, which has been a key feature of the site since the early 1980s, is set to be expanded as part of the redevelopment, affording visitors better views of the River Tees. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council said they expect work on the aviary to be completed in July. The aviary's steel-domed structure will be retained, with the roof refurbished to provide additional shelter and a flexible seating small buildings within the aviary will be revamped, with secure doors added, which the council says could provide storage for outdoor activities such as paddle-boarding and open-water swimming by visiting artist, painter and former musician Kate Jackson will also create a mural across the back wall of the aviary, as part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway festival (S&DR200) which began in March and continues until September across the region. Other redevelopment projects in the park, including a two-storey extension to the museum, are near completion. The revamped museum, situated in a Grade II-listed, 19th century manor house within the park grounds, includes a new exhibition and gallery space for international exhibits - with councillor Nigel Cooke saying the site is "set to gain national attention".The enlarged space will also allow hundreds of unseen local objects to be put on park redevelopment includes an extension to the cafe, improved parking facilities and new public toilets."Our plans will ensure that other elements of the park, like the aviary, become a highlight once again for visitors," said Mr Cooke."The major exhibitions and events in the museum will bring thousands more visitors to Preston Park from the local area and further afield," he added. "I am looking forward to seeing so many people being able to enjoy this safe outdoor space once again." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
