Plea for action to preserve Grade II listed Whittlesey bank

The move comes after a plea from a town resident who fears a former Grade II listed Whittlesey bank is falling into disrepair.

Resident Peter Baxter has regularly raised concerns over the state of the former NatWest Bank in Market Place, Whittlesey, at the monthly town council meetings.

Mr Baxter, who once again spoke out on the need for action to preserve the building at the October council meeting, said afterwards that he felt local councillors should be doing more to press Fenland District Council to act.

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He believes the building may have been purpose-built as a bank sometime between 1690 and 1710 - which is around the time the Bank of England was founded in 1694.

"Why it was built in Whittlesey at that time is not clear, but it is clearly a very, very important part of the town's history," he said.

Mr Baxter said he had raised the issue many times with town and district councillors Dee Laws and Alex Miscandlon, but felt they were not doing enough to help pressurise Fenland Council to ensure the building does not fall any further into disrepair.

He claimed the building was owned by the same person who owns Strathmore House in Friday Bridge, which has also been left to deteriorate and has seen the owner taken to court.

"It is concerning that this building appears to have the same owner," said Mr Baxter.

Cllr Laws did assert the two buildings were under the same ownership at October's council meeting and responded to Mr Baxter by saying the district council was fully aware of the situation, and there was ongoing work behind the scenes.

A spokesperson for Fenland said: "Fenland District Council places a high value on the district’s heritage assets, which contribute significantly to the character and identity of our towns and villages.

"The council works proactively with owners to encourage the sensitive repair and reuse of historic buildings, recognising the important role they play in supporting local pride, economic vitality and the distinct sense of place within Fenland.

"The neglect of important heritage assets is of serious concern to the council, and we actively engage with owners and consider a variety of options available to us to secure their proper maintenance and preservation.

"The former NatWest Bank building at 2 Market Place, Whittlesey is a Grade II listed building situated within the Whittlesey Conservation Area.

"The council is concerned about its condition and has been monitoring the site. Officers from our planning enforcement and conservation teams have been engaging with the owner to encourage appropriate maintenance of the property, both on the lower floors, which we understand not to be in use, and the upper floors which we believe are in residential use.

"The council has noted the continuing lack of progress and the degradation of the building which is a matter of significant concern to us given its prominent location and listed status.

"The council is actively considering use of its powers under planning and listed building legislation to intervene. These powers are used proportionately and in accordance with national guidance.

"Strathmore House, Fridaybridge Road, Elm, though not a listed property, is regarded by us to be a non-designated heritage asset. We prosecuted the owner for failing to comply with a Section 215 Notice in relation to this property in March of this year.

"We’re not satisfied that the order has been complied with and further action is being considered."

Nitesh Somani was served a Section 215 notice requiring him to tidy up the overgrown vegetation, board up windows and doors in Strathmore House, remove waste from the land and secure fencing to prevent trespassing.

He failed to carry out these works and appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on March 12 this year, where he was found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with the Section 215 notice and was fined £660.

He was given six weeks to comply with the order.