Much Support for Rhos Street Building

Should we be worried about what'll happen to the old Rhos Street School building?

Very many people are. Suddenly. To date, there have been over 100 objections to plans for 20 homes, nearly all on the basis that they 19th century building should remain. But, interestingly, there were only seven at the pre-planning consultation stage. Back then, the town council did not object and neither did any of the three county councillors. So, where has all the noise come from?

Interestingly, CADW's response is most telling: it has no objections. CADW is interested less in the Rhos Street site itself but more on protecting the impact of the site when seen from the 11 registered parks, gardens or scheduled monuments it cites as being within two miles of the proposed housing. CADW specifically states, 

'In most cases intervening topography, buildings and vegetation block all views between them and therefore the proposed development will have no impact on the settings of these designated historic assets. Where views are possible it will only be the roofs of the proposed dwellings that will be visible. As such they will be seen as part of the existing urban development along Rhos Street and therefore will have no impact on the settings of the designated historic assets. Cadw therefore has no objections'

We know that CADW does not rate the school sufficiently highly to see it listed. There are apparently better examples of the style. Without such protection, the site appears doomed, no matter the number of objections. 

Added to which, what happens to the site if it were to be deemed important enough to save? The housing scheme would fail and the historic building would languish just like 46 Clwyd Street (The Old Gaol frontage). We would be left with an asset that we could not use and one that would slowly deteriorate. The town hall is already near enough empty. 

Didn't we all know that the consequence of building two (much needed) brand new schools at Glasdir would result in the old one being declared surplus? We all felt that this was a price worth paying. We cannot surely be surprised at the result.

And what of Dinbych? When the former magistrates' court closed, the building was taken over by Denbigh museum. That building is a former school. Denbigh museum are about to leave these premises. They're too difficult and expensive to maintain. Is there also a lesson here, for Rhuthun/Ruthin?

I wonder what the recommendation of Denbighshire's planning officers will be. If to approve, will councillors agree? If not, will it go to appeal?