The South Yorkshire Housing market renewal pathfinder has been warned it would be “foolish” to ignore a new plan to protect and reuse buildings on its patch rather than demolish them.

Pressure group Save Britain’s Heritage says the region’s pre-draft regional spatial strategy – which is now out for consultation and concludes more must be done to avoid demolitions – means the Transform South Yorkshire pathfinder will have to rethink its approach to demolitions.

The consultation document proposes that the strategy should “encourage the reuse of buildings wherever possible, particularly in the former industrial areas of West and South Yorkshire”.

It adds that the strategy should identify and protect housing and seek to improve it to meet the needs of current residents.

Adam Wilkinson, secretary of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “Basically [the spatial strategy] is in conflict with the pathfinder policy.

“I think the pathfinder would be foolish to ignore this. It is something I support very strongly. It will be interesting to see how the pathfinder reacts to this. I think it sends out a strong message – and the right message as well.”

A spokeswoman for pathfinder Transform South Yorkshire said the organisation would be considering its response to the pre-draft strategy but was unable to say what kind of impact it could have.

She said: “We’re very aware of South Yorkshire’s cultural and industrial heritage; we work hard to ensure that design quality is placed at the heart of all our refurbishment and redevelopment work.

“We will follow the development of the strategy and respond appropriately.”

Source

Housing Today