Date: 26/10/2009
Local Councillors have thanked a rail freight company for repairing an iconic glass fanlight at Buxton Railway Station.
The distinctive window on the Grade II listed building had become an eyesore after vandals broke several panes of glass. Originally built by the London & North Western railway in 1863 to a special design, which had to be approved by the then Duke of Devonshire, the fanlight was once paired with a matching design at the adjacent Midland Railway station. It was rare for such a joint design to be agreed in the atmosphere of fierce rivalry between Victorian railway companies and disagreement was reputedly only resolved with the intervention of the renowned architect of Crystal Palace, Sir Joseph Paxton, who was at that time a Director of the Midland Railway Company. Sadly, the Midland's window was demolished in the 1980's to make way for the modern roadway but the L&NWR window remains as a much-loved and very distinctive local landmark.
There was some public pressure for enforcement action to be taken by the Council against the owners, but this could have resulted in repair work that was not wholly in keeping. Instead, Corbar Ward Councillors Linda Baldry and Tony Kemp asked High Peak Borough Council's planning and conservation officers to negotiate for a better solution, retaining the original character of the important listed building. Landowners, DB Schenker had first offered to repair the glazing with polycarbonate that would be less prone to vandalism but after discussion agreed to use more appropriate glass and also carried out careful conservation work on the iron and stonework to ensure a lasting repair.
DB Schenker arranged for the necessary work to be carried out during the summer, with the Railway Heritage Trust contributing half the cost. Extensive use was also made of local craftsmen and firms in undertaking the project.
Cllr Linda Baldry is also the Executive Councillor for Planning and commented: "This case has been an excellent example of the Borough Council's policy of working a spirit of partnership with landowners, wherever possible. This usually results in a better outcome than where formal enforcement action has to be taken, though where an individual refuses to co-operate we will not hesitate to use the Council's full powers. I am really pleased with the final result and it is now once again a focal point of the local scene."
Cllr Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration, is also the Council's designated "Heritage Champion" and link with English Heritage. He added: "We are delighted DB Schenker agreed to withdraw its' original application to replace glass with polycarbonate, and that the fanlight has now been restored to its' former glory. Polycarbonate would have been an easy option, but not in character with this listed structure. I am also pleased to report that Network Rail has plans to carry out substantial remedial work on the neighbouring station building (which is not owned by DB Schenker)".
Both Councillors paid tribute to the financial commitment made by DB Schenker, saying: "We can fully understand the owner's initial reluctance to spend money on repairs from which they would have never seen a return, especially in these difficult times. However, they were quick to recognise their special responsibilities as the owner of a listed building and we would like to issue a public "Thank You" to them for their co-operation, and also to the Railway Heritage Trust who made such a generous donation to the cost".