As many of you will be aware there is a lot of rumour mongering going
on about this site,it need to be stopped and facts explained. I have
been in touch with Tony Harvey (BW General manager) this morning to
obtain the full statement of the future use and conditions attached
to this building.
The site was offered for sale in Waterways World and Canal &
Riverboat in November 2005 alongside adverts in the Property Gazette
and the Estae Agents Gazette.
It is more than clear that no harm will come to the building's
integrity and waterside mooring and access will remain.
Tony was not able to post this himself as he is not able to get into
the office today and there fore asked me to do so.
Regards,
Laurence Hogg

Statement from BW:

Tipton Gauging Station

Background: after considering options for its future use via
feasibility studies in 2005 which indicated a heritage use would be
preferable but challenging due to the abnormal costs associated with
the site (including chemical contamination), the site was included in
a proposed land disposal in 2006 by way of a long lease. This
followed agreement with the local planning authority on a development
brief and design guidelines aimed at securing a high quality
development and re-use of the listed building.

Despite being advertised in Waterways World (November 2005) and Canal
& Riverboat (November 2005), no interest was raised in the boating
industry or by canal related enterprises.

BW had been concerned for some time that something was done to
conserve the building, no proposals were forthcoming for the
restoration of the basin – the abnormal site conditions made this a
slim possibility. The building and grounds are contaminated and
suffer from mining. The basin has similar issues which means high
costs for remediation, before repair and refurbishment can even be
contemplated.

On the positive side there was real interest in the site for
residential/commercial development and regeneration of the building
and which, subject to planning, could bring about new and substantial
investment in the Gauging Station. In order to protect all our
interests, BW made it known to potential investors that the building
is a complete rare example, has a special place in local canal
history, and that this heritage significance must be preserved.

As BW is retaining freehold ownership it is able to retain access to
the canalside both for its own operational purposes and moorings.

The developer's proposed project/planning application: investment has
to be coupled with a viable use to ensure long term sustainability.
It is inevitable some changes will have to be made to the building.
BW therefore accepted that we needed to ensure, as far as is
reasonably possible, the viable use does not interfere with the
historic integrity. To further this desire, we have stipulated that
no alterations should be made to the building without our consent.
This building also has statutory protection which we know the local
authority will be keen to see is observed.

BW has submitted a robust response to the local planning authority.
We consider the proposed design is not a pastiche and results in a
robust form, with low key modern treatment which would be the desired
design approach for this sensitive location. Its scale is perhaps
should however be considered carefully.

Under the terms of the leasehold interest, the developer must secure
BW agreement for the project including details of all materials to be
used and approval of all soft and hard landscape works. It is also
planned that all existing historical landscape features related to
the Gauging House, like the curbs to the docks on the west side of
the building, will be protected during the works and retained within
the landscape.

Detailed points we have already made include:

• Obscure glazing to the windows of the Gauging House is
not acceptable and all new glass should be either muff or cylinder
glass

• All existing features, like the internal pulleys must
remain in situ

• Brick details for any repairs ether for blocking up or
repairing openings to be provided

• Lime mortar specification for any re-pointing and repairs
to brickwork. All pointing should be kept to the absolute minimum and
only hand tools should be used

Additionally, as part of the agreement/conveyance process, the
applicant is required to provide mooring facilities, along with
access, lighting and a vehicular access to the canal for BW
maintenance purposes and it is important that this is retained within
the plans to enable BW to access the canal to undertake essential
maintenance and repair works when required.

Summary: after considering options for its future use via feasibility
studies in 2005, which indicated a heritage use would be preferable
but challenging due to the abnormal costs associated with the site,
the site was included in a proposed land disposal in 2006 by way of a
long lease.

We have sold a 150 year lease and retained rights of access and major
input to design considerations.

This disposal followed wide advertising, including in the waterway
press. There was no interest was raised in the boating industry or
by canal related enterprises at that time. There followed agreement
with the local planning authority on a development brief and design
guidelines aimed at securing a high quality development and re-use of
the listed building.

BW made it known to all potential investors that the building is a
complete rare example, has a special place in local canal history,
and that this heritage significance must be preserved. We have
stipulated in the lease terms that no alterations should be made to
the building without our consent. The West Midlands waterway has
already submitted a robust set of comments to the local authority on
the planning application. The site also has statutory protection
which we know the local authority is keen to see observed.

BW believes investment in the canal system has to be coupled with
viable uses to ensure long term sustainability. It is inevitable some
changes will have to be made to this site but we will ensure, as far
as is reasonably possible, the viable use does not interfere with the
historic integrity.