Dear all,
Having submitted the petition to WWHA, the next step was to submit something to Denbighshire CC for their attention. We have been really lucky that Jo Burton of JB Heritage Consulting has kindly agreed to prepare a heritage statement for the TA Centre (known as a "Statement of Significance") free of charge. She has spent many days working on this and has produced a fabulous 17 page document which sets out the history of the building and makes a planning assessment of its heritage value.
Yesterday, I submitted this report to DCC's Head of Planning (Emlyn Jones), Conservation Officer (Chris Evans) and Development Manager (Paul Mead) for their consideration, along with our petition which now has amassed 1100 signatures. Furthermore, I emailed all Denbighshire Councillors (for Prestatyn), Prestatyn Town Councillors and Denbighshire CEO Graham Boase asking them to review the same information and lobby the Planning Department to recognise the heritage value of the building and reject any proposal for demolition.
I would love to share the entire statement with you all, but I think for now it needs to be kept on a "need to know" basis while DCC consider it. I am cognisant that the work Jo has undertaken for us is in her own time, would normally cost hundreds of pounds (if not thousands) if she were charging us through her business. She is self-employed and a truly brilliant friend for producing this document free of charge for us. If anyone from this community would like to chip in a small amount to show appreciation to Jo then please feel to donate to the Go Fund Me account below. I have suggested £100 as a target - maybe we could buy her some vouchers or a gift hamper for example. Please only give if you feel able to.
I don't know where the next step on this journey will take us, but hopefully our councillors can apply positive pressure to get the outcome we all hope for!
Best wishes,
Gareth
(Image reproduced with the kind permission of Harry Thomas Archives)