Fight to save landmark pub from being bulldozed
Campaigners have vowed to fight on after failing to get a pub threatened by demolition protected by English Heritage.
Former Scottish and Newcastle pub, the Sale Hotel in Sale, Cheshire, closed its doors in March and was bought by a developer who notified Trafford Council of plans to raze it to the ground.
An attempt by the council to get the building listed to prevent this, failed. The council has confirmed it will appeal the decision ahead of the August 13 deadline, a move backed by local councillors and campaign groups. The council has no powers to prevent the demolition of unlisted buildings.
Pat Coulburn of local historical group Sale Civic Society said she was "devastated" by the decision and vowed to keep on fighting.
The group is gathering signatures on a petition and support via a Facebook group with 1,300 members to appeal the decision made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport not to list it, following a report from English Heritage.
"Feelings are running very high," she said. "It's been an iconic landmark in the area for many years. We know that the building can be used for other things and we want it to be saved."
Sale East MP Paul Goggins has written to English Heritage and raised the matter with Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw. "I will continue to work with local campaigners and do my best to ensure this building is preserved for the people of Sale for generations to come," he said.
The pub, built in 1878 as part of an extensive development of pleasure gardens, features a distinctive turret.
An English Heritage advisor's report on the listing application said: "It is not of sufficient special architectural or historic interest to merit listing. It lacks the high level of decorative detail and architectural quality required for designation."
The Victorian Society which campaigns to protect buildings from the period is calling for Trafford Council to designate a new conservation area to include the pub. Special permission would then be needed to demolish it.
