The Old Sardine Factory, Hannafore Road, West Looe, Cornwall
Client: Looe Harbour Commissioners
Proposal: Demolition and rebuilding of a Grade II Listed Building
The Old Sardine Factory in West Looe, Cornwall is a 19th century Grade II Listed former warehouse used at the time of the original AH commission as fisherman’s stores at ground and first floor levels. The building fronts onto West Looe’s West Quay with its rear adjacent to, and mostly below, Hannafore Road. The warehouse is situated within the Looe Conservation Area.
Initially, the owners had planned to convert the building into a modern leisure facility, including a café, a fish restaurant and replacement fishermans’ stores in a newly constructed suspended second floor housed in the roof space. As the Listed Building retained no internal features, it was agreed to retain the original 19th century façade. However, the structural engineer’s report identified significant undermining of the façade, which it was discovered has no foundations, caused by the tidal flow in and out of the harbour. Thus an alternative plan had to be adopted involving the total demolition of the Listed Building and the building of a new façade using original materials.
Armour Heritage was commissioned to undertake a heritage statement to be submitted alongside the planning application, identifying the historical development of the site, through study of historic maps and a substantial photographic archive held by the Harbourmaster’s Office, along with the site’s archaeological potential. In addition, comprehensive assessment was completed with regard to both the condition and significance of the Listed Building, and its contribution to the character of the Looe Conservation Area.
Planning consent was granted for the proposal in mid-2015 and a public consultation was 98% in favour of the project.
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