This in from Ian Pickard on behalf of the Friends of Frank James. Ed
The Grade II listed Frank James Memorial Hospital in Adelaide Grove, East Cowes, has been nominated as one of the country’s Top Ten Buildings at Risk.
Nominations close today (4 July) for the Victorian Society sponsored survey to find the ten most “at risk” heritage buildings in England and Wales.
Little progress made since last nomination
Friend of Frank James and Chartered Surveyor, Ian Pickard, said
“It’s a pity the Friends have had to nominate the building yet again as it appeared in the Top Ten back in 2007. Since then little progress has been made to secure a positive and sustainable outcome for this nationally important Listed building.”
Plea from The Victorian Society
The Victorian Society wrote to the Isle of Wight Council last year urging them to use their statutory powers to compel the owners to undertake repairs to the building.
The Council ignored the request and recently refused to debate in the chamber a 2,800 signature petition calling on the authority to issue an Urgent Works Notice on the owners.
Mr Pickard went on to say,
“The owners should take immediate action to secure the building whilst a permanent solution is found. If they don’t, the Council needs to step in.
“East Cowes should not have an abandoned Grade II listed building deteriorating in this way. It’s in the Council’s interest to turn this site around.”
The 2014 Top Ten Buildings at Risk will be announced in October.
Image: © Josh Atkin
