News: Demolition plans in to save the Alma
A planning application has been submitted as part of efforts to save what remains of a fire-damaged historic pub building in Rotherham.
Rothbiz revealed last year that feasibility issues have arisen with converting the former Alma Tavern into a live music venue.
With £4.5m of the government's Town Deal funding set aside for a music venue project, the Westgate site is the third building looked at by the authority.
The building is not a listed building (unlike The Cutler's Arms next door, saved and reopened by Chantry Brewery) but is in severe disrepair following a fire and years of abandonment. Councillors were told that an updated cost plan for the project demonstrated "a cost significantly in excess of the funding available."
Funding was moved away from the project to progress plans for a community hub for health provision in the former Boots building in the town centre, but Rotherham Council, the owners of the Alma, said that it was still committed to finding a sustainable plan for the pub that was wrecked by fire in 2012.
A new planning application from Rotherham Council explains that a recent structural report "identified a need to support the original facades in order to retain them for a future reinstatement scheme."
The planning authority is being asked if the remaining structures to the rear can be removed so that scaffolding can be erected to support the frontage. The application also includes repair works to the front elevation and original gable walls to secure and preserve the historic facades.
Permission is required as it is located in the town centre's conservation area.
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A 2021 application, from the then owners, to demolish the building and retain the front facade to the first storey window height was refused as it didn't provide any supporting information. The council's application includes a structural report and a heritage statement.
Rotherham Council said last year that it was working with Chantry Brewery, the tenants and operators of the Cutlers, who wished to take on the Alma.
The initial ideas involved an L-shaped new building on land behind, and to the side of The Alma, creating a venue with a capacity of 500 - 600 and the main entrance in the vacant pub.
Rotherham Council said in the application that "due to the unsafe condition of the building ... we are looking to undertake the partial demolition of the building in advance of any viability assessment and redevelopment scheme in order to protect the historic assets of the building and ensure public safety to the immediate areas surrounding the building."
The public house closed in 2005/6 and although not listed, it is on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. The Alma was rebuilt in 1909 and is noteworthy for the use of architectural lettering and the reference to Bentleys Rotherham Ales on the facade.
The plans state: "The timber roof and floor structures throughout the property are unsafe due to wood decay from wet and dry rot, and the previous fire damage sustained. This in turn compromises the restraint offered to the masonry walls and leaves the walls vulnerable to further collapse if left unsupported.
"Whilst a redevelopment scheme for the site remains a focus for the Council, the main priority is in ensuring the safety to the public realm and adjacent properties, whilst retaining the Edwardian facades to make sure this is not in the detriment to the character of the town centre conservation area.
"With the above in mind our intention is to demolish and remove the remaining structures to the rear of the building, including all brick extensions, timber roof and floor structures. We would then look to implement retaining scaffolds to the full front façade and gables of the original building, making isolated repairs to the lintels and masonry of these facades to ensure they are fully supported and maintained before any redevelopment can take place."
Satnam, the site's previous owner, had hoped to demolish both pubs to build a large retail store on the riverside site. In 2005, Rotherham Council refused the plans with one reason for refusal being that the pubs "make a contribution to the streetscene and add to the character of the setting of the listed building."
Images: RMBC
Rothbiz revealed last year that feasibility issues have arisen with converting the former Alma Tavern into a live music venue.
With £4.5m of the government's Town Deal funding set aside for a music venue project, the Westgate site is the third building looked at by the authority.
The building is not a listed building (unlike The Cutler's Arms next door, saved and reopened by Chantry Brewery) but is in severe disrepair following a fire and years of abandonment. Councillors were told that an updated cost plan for the project demonstrated "a cost significantly in excess of the funding available."
Funding was moved away from the project to progress plans for a community hub for health provision in the former Boots building in the town centre, but Rotherham Council, the owners of the Alma, said that it was still committed to finding a sustainable plan for the pub that was wrecked by fire in 2012.
A new planning application from Rotherham Council explains that a recent structural report "identified a need to support the original facades in order to retain them for a future reinstatement scheme."
The planning authority is being asked if the remaining structures to the rear can be removed so that scaffolding can be erected to support the frontage. The application also includes repair works to the front elevation and original gable walls to secure and preserve the historic facades.
Permission is required as it is located in the town centre's conservation area.
Advertisement
A 2021 application, from the then owners, to demolish the building and retain the front facade to the first storey window height was refused as it didn't provide any supporting information. The council's application includes a structural report and a heritage statement.
Rotherham Council said last year that it was working with Chantry Brewery, the tenants and operators of the Cutlers, who wished to take on the Alma.
The initial ideas involved an L-shaped new building on land behind, and to the side of The Alma, creating a venue with a capacity of 500 - 600 and the main entrance in the vacant pub.
Rotherham Council said in the application that "due to the unsafe condition of the building ... we are looking to undertake the partial demolition of the building in advance of any viability assessment and redevelopment scheme in order to protect the historic assets of the building and ensure public safety to the immediate areas surrounding the building."
The public house closed in 2005/6 and although not listed, it is on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. The Alma was rebuilt in 1909 and is noteworthy for the use of architectural lettering and the reference to Bentleys Rotherham Ales on the facade.
"Whilst a redevelopment scheme for the site remains a focus for the Council, the main priority is in ensuring the safety to the public realm and adjacent properties, whilst retaining the Edwardian facades to make sure this is not in the detriment to the character of the town centre conservation area.
"With the above in mind our intention is to demolish and remove the remaining structures to the rear of the building, including all brick extensions, timber roof and floor structures. We would then look to implement retaining scaffolds to the full front façade and gables of the original building, making isolated repairs to the lintels and masonry of these facades to ensure they are fully supported and maintained before any redevelopment can take place."
Satnam, the site's previous owner, had hoped to demolish both pubs to build a large retail store on the riverside site. In 2005, Rotherham Council refused the plans with one reason for refusal being that the pubs "make a contribution to the streetscene and add to the character of the setting of the listed building."
Images: RMBC
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