This is what South Ribble Borough Council and Historic England have to say about the Priory Gatehouse
More than 220 people have registered objections to the plans.
An application to protect Penwortham Priory’s last surviving structure from demolition is being considered, it can be revealed.
Agent Robert Gifford Von Schiller made the permission in principle application on their behalf, to raze the building to the ground and build two homes in its place. His planning statement makes no reference to the historical nature of the building, nor does it give any indication of what would happen to material from the demolition.
Within 24 hours of the Post publishing the story, 60 objections had been lodged against the proposal on South Ribble Borough Council’s website. The figure is now more than 220 are registered online.
Some local residents have commented that they have called on Historic England to intervene, and their position can now be revealed.
A spokesman for Historic England said: “I can confirm that we have received an application to list the gatehouse. There is a high bar for listing in the national context but we are currently in the process of carefully considering the application and are aware of the demolition proposals.”
South Ribble Borough Council, as the planning authority, were asked about whether they were looking to apply a Building Preservation Notice (BPN), which would effectively protect the building for six months while evaluation by Historic England and the Secretary of State takes place. They said that council officers were seeking advice from Historic England regarding this matter.
Parish councils
David Parkes, Hutton Parish Council Chairman, said: “Hutton Parish Council are aware of the issues with this matter and are formulating a formal response which will be sent to South Ribble Borough Council shortly.”
Penwortham Town Council will be discussing the matter as part of an upcoming meeting.