Developer is fined over former pub's bitter fate
The Bricklayers Arms Public House, bought by developers, Nadia Homes from Doncaster who let the building rot and Manchester City Councils solution was to either demolish it or repair it. Neither parties taking into account what the community wants to see happen to this historic and characterful building, which was built with respect to it’s surroundings and the built environment and the communities it was going to serve. Considerations neither parties respect or consider.
From between April 2008 and August 2010, the owners and Manchester City Council have allowed damage to roof progress, open to the elements and the eventual arson attack which led to further destruction of the historical asset.
Sadly since this time, the historic public house has since been demolished.
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Bowler Bowles Eh, congratulations to the both of you.
I know what you mean. I’d have similar reservations myself. I think everyone would be the same as thats all you ever see on Question Time for instance. How refreshing would it be for one MP just to say I agree with you on that! Won’t happen though for the reasons you mentioned. The country loses so much because of it. Strive for the better good in my opinion.
Regarding taking the sign down, thats just petty and pathetic. Not to mention the money wasted in the whole episode. Thats why every community should run it’s own area, with common policies. Central Councils are pointless and inefficient.
12 August 2010 at 20:02
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Paul Strange Glad all is good. All is good here. Em is pregnant and expecting our second child just before Christmas. As for the politics, I’d do it if it wasn’t for the us and them nature of it and the need to tow party line. I’m a socialist at heart and sometimes Labour aren’t socialist enough, but sometimes I’d also like to work with councillors from other parties to achieve something instead of it being about constantly opposing the opposition party. When Labour had power here, they put a statue up in the town centre, not amazing, but it was something. Then as the Tories had opposed it when in opposition, they pulled it down when they got in power, then spent more money putting something else up instead. It’s so petty it would drive me nuts I think. Recently the Tory council put up a much publicised Basildon sign costing £90k, and I know they had awarded to contract to a different company to the one that did it but switched contractors after a call from a rival company offering to do it for less (and a back-hander most likely) which is completely against the rules. And standing as an independent would make it almost impossible to get in and also to be a lone voice completely ignored in the council chamber. That’s why they don’t sort out issues the public are interested in, because they’re too busy having their silly little personal battles.
11 August 2010 at 23:55
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Bowler Bowles Hey, you should do mate. Maybe in the future for myself, but not just yet, too many things to be getting on with. If your settled in what your doing though, I’d definitely go for it.
Yeah, all good here.
10 August 2010 at 22:30
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Paul Strange Run for council!
My mate keeps on at me to do it. Got to squash the Tories and the toe-rags somehow. Maybe it’s best done from inside.
Anyway, hope you’re well.
10 August 2010 at 22:23
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Bowler Bowles I’m sure there are some good ones out there, but I’m sure there are many who go through the motions, just as there are plenty like-minded people in every line of work.
Big Society! Read a little on his proposals. I’d rather call it small society! I think we already have a big society!
Cheers for all the info, Paul. Good to get a more in depth perspective of the life of a local councillor.
Fancy the idea of going along to one of their meetings. I’ll look into that. I’m sure it will give me a good idea how things are officiated and organized and who does what. Not keen on the not speaking bit at the meeting though! What happened to the public soap box!
I will definitely keep on at them and see if I get anywhere with it.
Cheers again, mate.
10 August 2010 at 19:11
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Paul Strange Some councillors are doing it for the right reasons, many are just interested in making themselves seem important or making nice money from awarding contracts. As for making them full-time, lovely idea but we have 42 councillors in Basildon and there are 433 local councils. Try getting Cameron to agree to that under his ‘big society’ idea when he wants everyone to run their local area for free.
Realistically they don’t have to do a huge amount. If someone complains or request something they should just get in touch with the local department that sorts it out or refer the person to that office then chase it up to make sure it’s done. If they are on a committee they might do a little extra. Your kind of issue is less common in their day-to-day work and they should raise the issue in chamber. You should be able to go along to council meetings as a member of the public. You can’t speak but you can try to raise issues with the councillors before or after the meeting. Basically though do as you say and keep hassling them.
10 August 2010 at 18:34
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Bowler Bowles Well said, Jon. The letters will get a reply eventually, as they won’t stop until they are addressed and responded too.
The “regeneration and jobs” rubbish gets sprouted all the time. More often than not, it’s big business who get the real benefits. Yes they create some jobs, but more a lost.
We need efficient heroes in our local areas, who everyone at least respects, even if they don’t agree with them all the time. We seem to have a lot weasels these days. No spine, conviction or passion and too scared to offend. At least if you have offended someone at least their listening! This country is perfect for offensive acts as very few of us will take up arms to lay down the offender!
10 August 2010 at 17:44
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Jon Garry As Sean says, the lack of reply more than anything speaks volumes. Just like with Oldham Athletics ground moving to the Lancaster Club it seems that the Council are ignorant of local opinions and providing it can make a few quid through “regeneration and jobs” then it’s all ok. The person who you wrote to, I would hope, is busily penning a reply after the effort you went to in writing it. Afterall, there’s plenty of examples of statesmen in Parliament and the Lords who will write back to you – a good politician listens, and represents the interests of their constituents.
10 August 2010 at 17:09
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Bowler Bowles Hey, nice one for that Paul. I imagine it may just tot up that with expenses and allowances. I’d still be interested to see what they could achieve if they were full time though. Juggling two job is never easy and you rarely get a moment peace, both physically and mentally as you never really switch off.
Not a campaign yet, but you never know!
Hope all is well and good down your way.
10 August 2010 at 16:56
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Paul Strange Councillors do get paid. They say it’s not a salary, it’s an allowance. This is not the same as expenses, this is an entitlement that they get paid for their post. They are then allowed to claim expenses on top of that. The amount varies from council to council, county to county. My mate is a local councillor and gets about £5k I think, plus a bit more for being the deputy leader of the local Labour Party. I’ve seen some places pay over £10k. Remember, this is a part time position that most people do on top of a normal job.
As for your campaign, good luck. Make those councillors earn their ‘allowance’.
10 August 2010 at 16:46
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Bowler Bowles Good idea. I’m working on a website at the moment, which I’m hoping will lend a bit of wait to topics such as these. Youtube I’m hoping will play it’s part. Good idea and ties in nicely with some of the film stuff I do. Maybe because Councillors don’t get paid! They get expenses covered, but no wage. I suppose if we wanted proper representation, then maybe we should pay them properly and scrap expenses.
10 August 2010 at 15:22
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Seán Walker The lack of a reply speaks volumes. You should start a YouTube campaign, they always work wonders and is the best way of gathering support as well as gain interest from the national media. Also, see if you can get a face-to-face with this guy and question him on his lack of correspondence as well as putting your questions to him (on video), and that why he can not hid behind claims of being misquoted, etc.
10 August 2010 at 15:15
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Bowler Bowles They have never replied yet!
10 August 2010 at 11:33
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Jon Garry Spot on again. Let us know if you get a reply!
10 August 2010 at 09:51
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Philip Bell The culture of Moston has changed and as with enforced change the fabric (in this case the shops pubs etc) of the society has to adjust. When social engineering takes place on a scale never seen before the casualties can be viewed on the high street of every village town and city in these islands, politicians and the paid servants need to be taught a lesson, `by the people`!
10 August 2010 at 07:01
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Teddy Taylor I’ll wait with bated breath in anticipation of reading the reply………………………………………..……………………..…………………….
10 August 2010 at 06:16
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Kris Stan Callaghan Well said Bowler!!!!! Go Lad!!
10 August 2010 at 04:20
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Bowler Bowles To, Cllr. David Royle
(Assistant Executive Member for Environment)
Further to an article published in the Manchester Evening News (Thursday, August 5, 2010), regarding the perilous state, which the Bricklayers Arms on Moston Lane find itself in, I am shocked at the judgment by Manchester magistrates and the apparent lack of respect for local heritage and culture purported by Manchester City Council.
This is a fine example of a traditional public house complementing many of the Victorian buildings on Moston Lane, yet since it was bought by Nadia Homes, whom of which the director is a convicted criminal, they have given no respect what so ever for the local culture, rich heritage or indeed the local architecture, for which there are some fine examples in Moston. It is equally abhorrent that Manchester City Council either through its apparent neglect, ineptness or damned right lack of respect for local identity has let this building slip ever further towards demolition. This building has been in this state for over 2 years. When will Manchester City Council learn that the greatest cities in the world are built on rich histories, not demolished or wiped off the map, which seems evidently to be the policy of the current and previous council’s.
When will Manchester City Council let the people have a say on how their communities are shaped rather than be pawns in a social engineering game of liberal ideologies. Why can’t the people of Moston be proud of their architectural heritage! Is it of less worth than the Georgian townhouses of Chelsea or the Edwardian and Victorian architecture of fashionable Notting Hill! It is by all accounts more important as there is obviously more threat to it’s retainment and upkeep.
The Bricklayers Arms, like so many threatened buildings in Manchester are ASSETS not the liabilities, which the Council seems to view them as, there to be looked after. Treasured, reused and reinvented.
A community isn’t just slogan, it is built upon specific and often components held together by the people who live there and in an ideal world, one which the Local Council actively protects.
Whilst Manchester City Council sits idle waiting for the next planning application for yet another Ian Simpson monstrosity, our rich heritage is being trampled on.
The pathetic fine (£4066.00) imposed on Nadia Homes is laughable and to offer them the option of demolition is scandalous. Neither the owners of Nadia Homes (based in Doncaster) and I’m sure the magistrates as well, don’t know of or live in Moston and yet they both are able to strip the heritage and culture from people whose families have lived there for generations and continue to do so.
All this as gone on whilst Manchester City Council as actively let 22 businesses (as of 2009) open which are licensed to sell alcohol on Moston Lane, whilst responsible drinking institutions such as traditional pubs are shut. Institutions which for decades and before some of them got desperate as Councils and Governments allowed Supermarkets to do what ever they want, self regulated drinking in a responsible environment, albeit an environment which will never be perfect, no matter how many regulations, laws and taxes are imposed.
Is the policy of Manchester City Council one of open capitalism, that you can do what ever you want to a community and that the overall fabric doesn’t matter! It appears so. The balance of our communities should be enshrined and supported and if need be, subsidized as seen in French communities, where they realize the importance of these components for the integrity and well being of communities and seen not as simple cash cows and fodder for the all powerful consumerist giants.
When Manchester City Council pass the demolition of the Bricklayers Arms on Moston Lane, please will you ask those in the planning office to get off their chairs and take a drive down to Moston Lane (that’s in North Manchester) to look at the Bricklayers Arms and honestly ask themselves, will the people of Moston and the people of Manchester really benefit by demolishing yet another historical building? If the answer is YES, they should relinquish their jobs as they do not possess the necessary skills. If the answer is no, then they should seek to do what ever they can to preserve and ensure this building is brought back into use for the people of Moston, not the planning office or Manchester City Council, nor for Nadia Homes of Doncaster or indeed the magistrates of Manchester Courts.
The people, the community and heritage of Moston is what matters.
10 August 2010 at 01:10
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