New plans to demolish arson-hit house

Plans to be decided later this month seek to demolish Ford Green House in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, with three new detached properties

New plans have been lodged to demolish a derelict 19th Century house that has been repeatedly targeted by arsonists.

Ford Green House in Stoke-on-Trent has been empty for a number of years.

The house – not to be confused with nearby Ford Green Hall – is not listed but is a non-designated heritage asset and dates back to 1843.

As well as arson attacks, it has also been vandalised in recent years.

Previous demolition plans from the same applicant, a Mr Khan from Burslem, were rejected by council planners due to a lack of information.

According to a heritage impact statement submitted as part of the application, Ford Green House is now an eyesore which is in an extremely dangerous condition.

Historic building consultants Richard K Morriss and Associates, who produced the statement, said the building had limited architectural quality, and would require a very radical and very expensive restoration to make it liveable again, which would further reduce its heritage value.

"The degree of necessary rebuilding work to restore the property is such that more of its fabric would need to be lost in the process and the end result would be in effect little more than a replica utilising the salvageable elements of the external shell," they said.

There have been at least three devastating fires at Ford Green House since 2012, the most recent in March of this year.

The proposals submitted seek permission for three five-bedroom detached houses as well as a garage at the end of a driveway, off Ford Green Road.

Objectors to previous planning applications raised concerns over new homes being built on the site, which they said was of special local interest.

Concerns were also raised over the impact of the demolition on local roads.

Council planners are due to make a decision on the proposals by 17 July.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.