The once-saved B-listed Africa House, built for the 1938 British Empire Exhibition, has been demolished. The Dutch-style barn, a last vestige of the exhibition, was saved from demolition in 2021 after a strong community campaign. However, developers who bought the property in 2023 have torn it down, sparking outrage and questioning the legality of the move.
The historic B-listed Africa House has been demolished despite previously being saved from the bulldozer following a fierce community campaign. The Dutch-style barn was built in 1938 for the British Empire Exhibition at Bellahouston Park before being rebuilt in Ardeer, North Ayrshire. It was one of the last remaining structures of the exhibitions, which King George VI labelled a “remarkable achievement” during the Royal Opening of the exhibition at Ibrox Park.
It took 10 months to construct, and 10,000 people were employed to do so. North Ayrshire Council planners had previously received an application to demolish the building in 2021, but a fierce campaign led to the site being saved. Explosives company ICI Nobel used the canteen until the early 2000s when Clowes bought it in 2006. However, it now appears that developers, who bought the property at auction in 2023, have torn down one of the exhibition's last vestiges in a move described as 'potentially unlawful'. MSP Paul Sweeney, who shared footage of a digger clearing the site, described the destruction as 'outrageous' and questioned the legality of the move. He told Glasgow Live: “The sudden and potentially unlawful demolition of the B-listed Africa House in Ardeer, which was originally constructed for Glasgow’s 1938 Empire Exhibition, and one of the last surviving buildings from the event, is yet another outrageous example of building owners flouting listed building legislation and councils enabling it. “It is increasingly obvious that councils are not properly enforcing listed building legislation. If the building was dangerous, why was there no attempt to consult Historic Environment Scotland or have a conservation-accredited structural engineer inspect the property and specify the minimum necessary work to make the building safe? “In this case, it is not even clear if North Ayrshire Council’s own Building Control officers inspected the property. There does not appear to be a Dangerous Building Notice or a Listed Building Consent for demolition, which are legal requirements for demolition of any listed building. “This open season on our nation’s architectural heritage is why I am working with SAVE Britain’s Heritage to change the law to make it mandatory to consult a specialist conservation-accredited structural engineer to exhaust all salvage efforts before any planning authority can approve the demolition of a listed building. “All efforts should be made to preserve our architectural heritage and, at present, planning departments are allowing the demolition of listed buildings with little scrutiny or effort to preserve them. “The loss of the Africa Building is appalling. North Ayrshire Council should refuse any retrospective listed building application and ensure that the owners rebuild it to the original plans.” The demolition has sparked anger, with Labour MSP Irene Campbell for North Ayrshire and Arran describing it as' outrageous'. Another described the move as: 'Heartbreaking.' A third person wrote: 'How can you just tear down a piece of history? Aren't buildings like this ment to be protected? So sad.' North Ayrshire Council told Glasgow Live it would be working with the owner on redevelopment proposals. A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The current owner of Africa House informed the Council that they would be surveying the property to aid redevelopment proposals. “In order to survey the building, the owner removed collapsed material from the interior. “These works did not require any consent from the Council. The removal of the collapsed material revealed the extent of the condition of the building, including walls which were in danger of collapse. “Following the collapse of one of the walls, the owner informed the Council that they would be removing the dangerous walls. “The demolition was agreed by the Council in the interests of safety. The Council remains in contact with the owner and is expecting redevelopment proposals.
Africa House Demolition Listed Building British Empire Exhibition Glasgow Historic Buildings North Ayrshire Council Heritage Conservation
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