5 days ago
'Stop changing Bradford's historic buildings without permission' says heritage group
Bradford residents are "fed up" with businesses making major alterations to historic buildings and then asking for permission afterwards, the chair of a local heritage group has of Bradford Civic Society Si Cunningham said businesses should "get the message" that they cannot change a building's appearance without going through the proper procedure. His comments came after a second application by Cash Generator to retain modern signage on a Grade II listed building dating back to the Victorian era.A statement in the company's new application says: "The proposal does not have a detrimental impact on the character or appearance of the Listed Building."
It adds: "If anything, [it] ensures the reuse and upkeep of this otherwise vacant property ensuring it does not fall into disrepair."The pawnbroker opened a new Bradford city centre branch in the former Pearl Assurance House, on the corner of Kirkgate and Bank Street in September 2024, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The building was designed by architects Lockwood and Mawson and is also part of the City Centre Conservation part of the move, the company fitted bright blue and yellow signage on the building without listed building consent, or advertising consent, leading to criticism from local heritage groups.A retrospective application to keep the Cash Generator signage was submitted by the company, but this was refused earlier this latest application, which would see some changes to the design, is expected to be decided next signage on the pawnbroker was installed at the same time Historic England was awarding Bradford £2m to set up a Heritage Action funding could be used to help bring long-empty city centre buildings back into use, and remove tacky modern frontages from some of the city's architectural gems."With the new market open on Darley Street, footfall is now much higher in this part of town, so we must encourage the highest standards of design, particularly as it's at the heart of our new Heritage Action Zone," Mr Cunningham said."I wish that occupiers and building owners would get the message that it's their responsibility to get planning matters right first time to avoid costly enforcement action."The people of Bradford are fed up of it."
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