Villas face demolition despite campaign

Henson Villas are located at the south east of Pearson Park in Hull

Three former apartment blocks in Hull could soon be demolished, despite a campaign to save them.

Hull City Council has submitted a planning application which states the vacant Henson Villas, on the south eastern edge of Pearson Park, should be removed "as soon as practicably possible".

Campaigners had attempted to protect the blocks, suggesting they be added to Hull's Local Heritage List of historically significant buildings.

However, in 2024, the council's planning committee refused the request, removing any potential obstacle to the demolition of the buildings.

The three blocks were built on the site of two Victorian villas in the 1950s to house female workers as part of the city's efforts to recover from World War Two.

Despite the villas being built in an area surrounded by Victorian properties, council documents state they "do not attempt to mimic, or fit in with, the architectural style of the existing Victorian properties".

'Very poor condition'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning documents claim the buildings are "detrimental" to the look of the area.

They claim the site "is clearly in very poor condition" and "any option to refurbish Henson Villas would therefore entail significant repair works".

The site is within the Avenues and Pearson Park Conservation Area.

Regarding its future, reports state: "The demolition of the existing buildings with the opportunity for a new-build scheme could be seen to be a benefit to the conservation area."

Documents also state the villas' removal could open the door for a "more aesthetically appropriate and visually sensitive project, to be built".

The site is also mentioned on the new house building and redevelopment page on council's website.

The page states: "It is estimated that around 30 new comfortable, energy efficient homes, can be built on this site to a modern standard."

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