The Harborne Clock Tower Centre is a Grade II Listed Building which dates from 1881 and was most recently used as an Adult Education Centre.
Serious structural problems were encountered in March 2010, which led to the building being covered in protective scaffold in the interest of public safety. Following subsequent structural surveys the City Council decided in late July to close the Centre in view of the potential threat to the public, Centre users and staff. In the interim, courses starting in September were relocated to other Adult Education Centres and to some venues in the Harborne area.
Following a review of the Adult Education Service across the city it has been concluded that The Clock Tower will not reopen. The City Council therefore faces the challenge of a Grade II Listed Building in need of significant investment to make it safe and to bring it up to standard whilst protecting it for the long-term benefit of Harborne.
The basis for a way forward
The City Council has adopted two guiding principles to help shape future decisions ~
The City Council also considers that the whole site as currently defined [with a separate house, main hall/rooms, outbuildings and car park] is diverse and has not necessarily been best exploited with one single use.
Based on the above the City Council proposes the following as the basis of a way forward ~
Layout of the building
Copies of a plan showing the interior layout of the building are available from Harborne Library.
What are you being asked ?
The City Council wants to gain the views of as many local residents, community groups, businesses and others with an interest in Harborne. We are consulting on the following key questions but please bear in mind that some of the building is likely to be used by a new owner for other purposes.
How to register your views
This consultation will run until Friday 11th February 2011 and you can register your views by:
Serious structural problems were encountered in March 2010, which led to the building being covered in protective scaffold in the interest of public safety. Following subsequent structural surveys the City Council decided in late July to close the Centre in view of the potential threat to the public, Centre users and staff. In the interim, courses starting in September were relocated to other Adult Education Centres and to some venues in the Harborne area.
Following a review of the Adult Education Service across the city it has been concluded that The Clock Tower will not reopen. The City Council therefore faces the challenge of a Grade II Listed Building in need of significant investment to make it safe and to bring it up to standard whilst protecting it for the long-term benefit of Harborne.
The basis for a way forward
The City Council has adopted two guiding principles to help shape future decisions ~
The quality and the character of the Listed Building to be protected, brought up to standard and, wherever possible, enhanced. An element of community use is important and should be incorporated into future plans/usage of the building.
The City Council also considers that the whole site as currently defined [with a separate house, main hall/rooms, outbuildings and car park] is diverse and has not necessarily been best exploited with one single use.
Based on the above the City Council proposes the following as the basis of a way forward ~
With the input of advice from local people criteria to be drawn up to offer the site on a long lease basis for ownership and use outside of the City Council. The Council will retain the freehold.
The criteria will include a clear guarantee that the character of the building will be protected and brought up to standard and the weighting for any bid will clearly be in favour of a bid providing some element of community use. The criteria will also be mindful of the fact that a variety of separate uses for the site might best protect the aspirations of Harborne residents.
Interested parties to submit sealed bids as part of a tender process including details of the proposed use[s].
Likely timescales for the project
The following key stages and indicative dates have been identified although please note that these may be subject to change:
Likely timescales for the project
The following key stages and indicative dates have been identified although please note that these may be subject to change:
Stage
|
Likely timescale
|
| Public consultation | December 2010 – 11th February 2011 |
| Determination of the sale criteria /bid documents and marketing of the site | Mid-February 2011 – April 2011 |
| Assessment of bids | Mid-May – Mid-July 2011 |
| Completion of sale of lease | TBC subject to planning & listed building consents |
Layout of the building
Copies of a plan showing the interior layout of the building are available from Harborne Library.
What are you being asked ?
The City Council wants to gain the views of as many local residents, community groups, businesses and others with an interest in Harborne. We are consulting on the following key questions but please bear in mind that some of the building is likely to be used by a new owner for other purposes.
What type of community use would you like to see as part of any future development of this site ?
How much of the overall building space would you wish to see retained for community use ?
What ideas do you have, if any, as to what the site should possibly be developed into ?
Where can I discuss this with the City Council ?
As part of the consultation, the City Council are planning the following drop-in sessions which are open to the public at The Clock Tower on the following dates:
Where can I discuss this with the City Council ?
As part of the consultation, the City Council are planning the following drop-in sessions which are open to the public at The Clock Tower on the following dates:
| Wednesday 22nd December 10am-1pm | Saturday 15th January 10am-1pm |
| Wednesday 19th January 4pm-7pm | Tuesday 25th January 4pm -7pm |
How to register your views
This consultation will run until Friday 11th February 2011 and you can register your views by:
Filling out the response forms available from Harborne Library and key businesses in Harborne.
E-mailing edgbaston@birmingham.gov.uk
Visiting www.birmingham.gov.uk/
Telephoning 0121 303 3703
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