Preserve what Altrincham has left

3:42pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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Yesterday I drove to Altrincham to see for myself the lovely Victorian houses threatened with demolition in Springfield Road.

Coming down Stamford New Road from the corner of Regent Road I noticed: 1. To let: 'Refurbished Offices' (above Au Naturelle) - ghastly modern purplish brick.

2. 'Offices to let' - this used to be the community Post Office. Original Victorian red brick.

3. 'Atisreal' - Offices to let (above Dawsons music shop) - ghastly modern brownie-reddish brick.

4. Offices to let - Edwards & Co. (above Reed, opposite the clock tower of the station) - ghastly modern brownie-reddish brick.

5. 'Bruntwood' - a whole building of offices for let. Ghastlly modern brick.

These all on the left side of the road, and within 200metres of the town centre.

6. On right then 'Jones Long' St John's House office space for let, ghastly modern yellow brick building.

7. On the left at Woodlands Road is 'Unisys House' offices to let - ghastly reddish brick modern structure.

8. and on the very corner of Springfield Road: a 5 storey offices to let building, 'Charter House', the ugliest yet, all new brick.

So, Altrincham needs yet more tall new modern brick offices? "But we are getting used to high buildings in Altrincham" Quote: Messenger 20 March 2008 page 13, Cllr David Merrell. And who passes the planning applications?

Or are you as elected councillors in a unique position to save heritage: Altrincham desperately needs to preserve what little architectural character it has left.

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