Efforts to save Bath’s Art Deco fire station from demolition have been blocked by the Heritage Minister.
Bath Fire Station on Bathwick Street | Photo © Bath Echo
Baroness Twycross did not take the advice of Historic England to give the 1930s station in Bathwick Street a Grade II listing.
The Twentieth Century Society, which has been leading efforts to save the fire station from demolition, says it has written to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) requesting a review of the ministerial decision.
Design work on Bath Fire Station began in 1937, led by architect Alfred J Taylor. He died the following year, and his architect daughter Molly Taylor took over the project and brought it to completion.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is planning to knock it down and build a replacement modern and fully sustainable facility. The plans are currently under consideration by Bath & North East Somerset Council, which is due to make a decision by 15th October.
In a letter to Historic England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport says: “The Minister for Heritage, on behalf of the Secretary of State, has decided that Bath Fire Station does not possess the special historic or architectural interest to merit listing under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
“In reaching this decision, the Minister has noted that the building is not particularly innovative, and has alterations and replacements, including the appliance bay doors and the external Crittall windows, of which only two survive.
“The fixtures and fittings internally, while well-executed and consisting of good quality materials, are also fairly standard for interwar fire stations.
“While she acknowledges that there is some historical interest, particularly in relation to the female architect of the fire station, this is not sufficiently special to meet the high bar for listing.
“The Minister expresses her gratitude to Historic England for its thorough advice but has reached a different conclusion based on her assessment of the evidence before her.”
In its response to the minister’s announcement, The Twentieth Century Society (C20), the national charity which campaigns to protect Britain’s modern architectural and design heritage, said: “Designed by Molly Gerrard (Née Taylor) in 1938-39, the building is a very rare pre-war project by a female architect, and the only fire station known to have been designed by a female architect.
“The station went on to play a crucial role in protecting the city during the ‘Baedeker Blitz’ air raids of 1942, demonstrating a clear case for historic interest.
The building sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bath Conservation Area, next to Greek Revival style Cleveland Bridge (Grade II*).
“In a Stripped Classical style with Art Deco details and clad in Bath Stone, the list report concludes: ‘Overall, the composition is both progressive and traditional in its architectural form, and in its style and use of materials is sensitive to the context of Bath’s classical Georgian architecture.’
“The decision arrives just days after the similar rejection of Shoreditch Fire Station (1963-64), calling into question why the Minister is opting to reject the recommendations of their appointed experts, Historic England, and the National Amenity Societies. C20 Society has written to DCMS requesting a review of both cases.
“The sole criteria on which listing decisions should be made are architectural and historic interest. Wider questions on social benefit and operations issues should be covered in subsequent listed building consent, and we’re concerned the latter may have unduly influenced the listing decisions in these cases.
“There are several examples of nationally listed historic fire stations that continue to be operational, with sensitive adaption and modernisation to suit the evolving needs of the Fire Brigade. Euston Fire Station in London is perhaps the best-known example; opened in 1902 and Grade II* listed in 1974, it has been in continuous use for 123 years.”
