Fleetwood radar station will crumble away if not improved, says owner

A businessman who was thwarted in his plans to transform a Grade II listed radar station into a unique house in Fleetwood says he is not giving up on his dream.

The distinctive oval-shaped property, on The Esplanade, was snapped up for £97,000 early last year by Leicester based architect Iain Garnell, who aimed to restore it to its former glory as a ‘mega one bedroomed live-work apartment.’

Architects’ plans showed a modern home with incredible views over Fleetwood beach, as the building is one of the few to be located on the beach side of the promenade.

Built from reinforced concrete, the unusual property sits on stilted columns which lift it off the ground, protecting it from incoming tides.

Mr Garnell submitted an application to Wyre Council planners for a change of use of a former naval radar station to residential dwelling and installation of a sewage treatment plant in the ground beneath the centre of the building. He also applied for Listed Building consent for the work.

But when the scheme went before Wyre’s planning last week, it was unanimously rejected by councillors, who also heard from objectors who spoke at the meeting.

Concerns about the sewage plan was the chief reason to reject the application, but members of Fleetwood Civic Society raised concerns that it was an inappropriate use for a Grade II listed building, while the planning officer stated there were insufficient details about the plans to ensure its character would not be altered.

However, this week Mr Garnell said was going to put in an amended application – and warned that the building would soon deteriorate further if it continued to be left empty.

He said: “I’m going to re-design the project and put it back into planners.

“The main concern was our sewage scheme but apart from that, the planning officer was fine with the application, so it mean a more acceptable re-design.

“This building doesn’t work as a radar station anymore, so if my scheme doesn’t go ahead, who’s going to maintain it?

“it will just deteriorate and crumble away, which would be a real shame. With this project, the building will be restored and people will be able to stay in it and enjoy it.”

At the planning meeting, Margaret Daniels, chairman of Fleetwood Civic Society, said: “I feel it would be inappropriate to give permission for change of use – it would entail waste bin storage in a prominent position, installation of blinds or other coverage at the window for privacy.

“This alongside the necessary alterations to the outside of the building to accommodate the installation of a bathroom and kitchen waste disposal facilities.

“If permission was granted the applicant would have no control over how the building was used once it was rented out.”

Iain Johnstone and Fleetwood Town Council member, Cllr Jimi Kuruvakadua, both raised concerns about the risk of flooding, as there had been two such incidents in the last 10 years alone.

If sand was washed away, as had previously occurred, this would expose the sewage tank, which was located right under the house and inevitably lead to unacceptable odours.

The plan’s rejection  led to a mixed reaction from residents in Fleetwood, with some relieved that an ‘inappropriate’ scheme woul not go ahead, but others fearing that the building would now fall into further disrepair and become an eyesore.

Mr Garnell said: “The second I saw the photos I thought it was incredible. It’s a bit dilapidated at the moment, the roof leaks but with some TLC it will be back to its former glory.”