Bid to stabilise old Barry station approved (From Barry And District News)

Bid to stabilise old Barry station approved

12:20pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

IMPROVEMENTS are set to be made to the former Barry Fire Station in a bid to stop it falling into further disrepair.

An application for Listed Building Consent to carry out improvement work to the property by Brian Fry and his wife Helen Fry, who bought the property at a public auction several years ago, was approved by the Vale of Glamorgan Council last Wednesday (February 13).

The proposed works aim to improve the condition of the building and prevent further deterioration. The proposals, which must be begun within six months and completed by February 28, 2016, include improvements to the front, roof and tower.

In a report to the council it was stated: “The application has been submitted following a protracted enforcement investigation into the poor condition of the building and the impact the condition of the building is having on the amenity of the area.”

A document prepared by David Morley, Mr and Mrs Fry’s architect, added that they had struggled to redevelop the building and were attempting to sell it.

“Due to the current financial climate, funding by the financial institutions is not available to undertake the redevelopment of the former fire station as previously proposed.

“Due to an inability to obtain funding to undertake the works, Mr and Mrs Fry, the building owners, have explored, and are continuing to explore, alternative options including trying to sell the building with a number of different agents and offering the building back to the local authority. The future of the building is at present extremely uncertain.”

He added: “With regard to public safety it was agreed no compromise is acceptable. It is acknowledged that maintenance and repairs that are required to ensure the safety of members of the public and immediate neighbours of the property are undertaken without any delay.”

The grade II-listed former Barry Fire Station on Court Road fell into disrepair after it closed more than 30 years ago. It was last used by Barry Amateur Boxing Club.

The proposals include that all windows and doors are boarded up, all openings in the tower are fitted with timber louver (these will be covered with chicken wire to prevent birds entering the tower) and a single access door to the annexe is to be fitted with a steel security door to provide access to the building.

All vegetation is to be removed from the façade, roof and chimney.

Work on the roof includes all slates and tiles being removed and the roof, including the roof of the tower, will then be covered with a clear ‘Monoflex’ tarpaulin which will be secured to the roof with timber battens. All existing rainwater gutters and downpipes are also to be cleared of vegetation and brought back to a serviceable state.