Lord Line building demolition plans set to be rejected

The derelict former trawler company offices has featured on urban explorer websites

Plans to demolish a derelict trawler company building are set to be rejected, a council says.

Manor Properties, owner of the Lord Line building, submitted its proposal to Hull City Council in June saying the demolition would benefit public safety.

But it has been opposed by a number of organisations including Historic England and Hull Civic Society.

In a report, planners said the pitch "fails to demonstrate the structure is unsafe and demolition was necessary".

Two petitions, with a total of more than 2,300 signatures, have been submitted to the council in opposition to Manor Properties' proposal, which also includes the nearby Grade II-listed pump house.

Historic England objected "in the strongest possible terms" and said destroying the building would "cause substantial and unjustified harm to the heritage assets".

"It would strike against the heart and essence of Hull's nationally important cultural maritime heritage at a time when this is being celebrated by Hull being the UK Capital of Culture...," the organisation said.

The authority's planning officials have recommended the application be refused.

The Lord Line building has stood empty on St Andrews Dock for a number of years

A spokesman said: "Complete demolition of the building would result in the loss of a significant building which makes a significant contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area without an approved replacement.

"The proposal therefore fails to preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area."

A council planning committee meeting is due to be held on 6 December.

The Lord Line building, built in 1949, has stood empty on St Andrews Dock for a number of years and is on the council's list of architecturally or historically significant buildings.

It has also featured on urban explorer websites with one group abseiling from the structure.

The nearby pump house was built around 1870 to provide power for the dock and is a listed building.

Adam Fowler, from the The City of Hull and Humber Environment Forum, said it was "the largest remaining purpose-built structure associated with the fishing industry".

They were "two symbolic and historic buildings", he added.