Firm fined £80k for neglecting Liverpool historical building
- Published
There were at least three fires at the derelict mansion, the council says
A building firm has been fined £80,000 for letting a Grade II listed former convent fall into decay.
Woolton Developments One Ltd was given planning permission to convert the Georgian building in Liverpool into flats in 2016.
The council said it had allowed the building to "rot and become a blot on the landscape".
The firm was found guilty of ignoring a listed building enforcement notice for five years and fined for neglect.
Poor security also meant vandals could access the property and there had been at least three fires, the local authority said.
Liverpool City Council had brought the case against the company after it failed to adhere to planning permission rules and said the fine set a "precedent" for neglected buildings locally.
Built in 1828 as Knolle Park, the Georgian mansion St Gabriel's on Beaconsfield Road, Woolton, south Liverpool, was once used as a nursery and convent.
Planning permission had been given to turn St Gabriel's into flats
A listed building enforcement notice was issued in 2017 after the building fell into further disrepair despite the flat conversion plan.
An appeal extended the period in which the firm could replace some architectural features.
But it was taken to court after failing to adhere to the timescale and previous planning permission.
District Judge Healey said the firm's "culpability was high" and imposed the £80,000 fine along with costs and surcharges of nearly £7,700.
Councillor Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy, said the building had "sadly been allowed to rot and become a blot on the landscape".
"I hope this judgement sends a clear message to any company that is looking to renovate a historic building in Liverpool," he said.
"If they fail to honour their permission and responsibilities, we will be coming after you."
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