Fears that Wirral's heritage is under threat

Aug 12 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

AS WIRRAL’S heritage comes under strain, this week the News investigates what it’s like to privately- own a listed building

As Wirral’s heritage comes under strain, this week Carrie Catterall investigates what it’s like to own a listed building

ANTHONY Higgins and his wife Lynne bought Park Lodge, a Grade II listed building on New Chester Road, New Ferry, 11 years ago and spent £200,000 renovating it.

After many years running Lord Leverhulme’s lodge as a cosy restaurant just minutes away from Port Sunlight Village, Anthony has decided he is ready to retire due to his health and has put the lodge up for sale.

However, even though he is not running the place as a business any more or making any income from it, Anthony says he still has to pay business tax and meet council guidelines by keeping the character of the building alive.

The 65-year-old said: “It is becoming very expensive to keep this building in good condition.

“At the moment it’s ok, but I’ve applied for grants to help me maintain the place and have been refused, which I find very frustrating.

“I have invested so much time and money into this property and have many happy memories here but now I’m worried it will fall into disrepair because I can’t afford to spend anymore money on it.

“I’m not complaining because I chose to buy a listed building and it has been amazing to own, but there are a lot of restrictions and sometimes it feels like you are expected to do an awful lot and you don’t get any help in return.

“I worry that unless there is more help for people owning these buildings that eventually they’ll all end up going and Wirral will lose a large part of its heritage.”

Concerns like these are being heightened every day in our borough as many buildings fall into disrepair, pubs shut down and the council announces plans to close council-owned listed buildings and transfer dozens of other assets to the community.

Wirral heritage champion Cllr Jerry Williams said: “Trying to develop a building that’s listed isn’t an easy job as there are guidelines and rules that you have to comply with to maintain the character of the building. This has been the responsibility of Anthony Higgins and he has done a great job in keeping Park Lodge vibrant and alive for our community.

“Wirral Council is working towards a solution to look after council-owned listed buildings, but the main problem we are facing is that a lot of Wirral’s listed buildings are in the private sector and there is only so much we can do for them.

“Saying that though, the council has a duty of care over historic architecture and is working hard to try and protect every listed building.”