In pictures: Grade II listed Harris Park buildings in state of disrepair

Mold and peeling of paint to 1st floor The Poplars Pic: Cube PSL — Mould and peeling of paint in The Poplars Pic: Cube PSL

Photos from a planning application for maintenance work at Harris Park show the state of disrepair at the Grade II listed site in Fulwood.

The application is seeking listed building consent to carry out repairs to the site’s historic villas – namely the Laurels, Holly House, Poplars, Chestnuts, Glen Rosa and Oak House – plus Gate Lodge, The Chapel and Conference Centre, School and Masters House.

Images in the Condition Assessment produced by Cube PSL show issues with roofing, brickwork, pointing, timber, dry rot and fungus.

As an example, works said to be required at The Lodge are as follows:

Isolated areas of dry rot to the skirtings and door frames adjacent to the chimney stack
Water damage and mould growth from around the chimney area
Brickwork staining externally
Peeling paint and wallpaper
Vegetation around the chimney stack creating large gaps between brick mortar joints and a crack in the chimney crown
Broken ridge tile
Blocked downpipes and drainage

Vegetation to secret gutter in clock tower at Harris Park Pic: Cube PSL — Vegetation to secret gutter on the clock tower Pic: Cube PSL

In a letter to Preston City Council, the agent, Lichfields, states that work would be undertaken in a “sensitive manner, using appropriate like-for-like materials and avoiding unnecessary damage to historic fabric”.

It continues: “The effects of these works will therefore be significantly beneficial, and will preserve and enhance the significance of these assets.”

Crushed brickwork and displaced stone lintel at Glenrosa Pic: Cube PSL

The letter concludes: “The proposed works set out above consist of essential and time sensitive maintenance works necessary to safeguard historic buildings on the site and prevent further damage.

“It has been demonstrated that the proposed development preserves and enhances the setting, significance and special architectural or historic interest of the affected listed buildings.”

Dry rot to skirting detail to the ground floor WC in The Chestnuts at Pic: Cube PSL — Dry rot to skirting detail in the ground floor WC in The Chestnuts Pic: Cube PSL

The planning application (06/2021/1529) – including more images in the Design and Access Statement and Heritage Statement – can be viewed on the Preston City Council website.

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What do you think of the state of the Harris Park buildings? Let us know in the comments.