I do not know the building and am unable to comment in detail.  I do not
make representations merely because I am asked to.  However, there is
another line of action that you might consider.  IF this is an important
building which ought to be preserved - because it is nationally important as
a rare survival.  Have you considered asking English Heritage to spot-list
it.  As a listed building, there is a substantial obstacle to its
demolition.  However, as a redundant building with no current economic use,
a new use for it needs to be found.

Peter King
49, Stourbridge Road,
Hagley,
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 0QS
01562-720368
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John
Hine
Sent: 17 June 2008 22:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Princess Royal baths



    For the un-initiated, SWRDA stands for Soth West Rural Development
Agency.
    The site has for a long time been mentioned in Pevsner (don't know how
to spell it! ).
    Please do all you can to support this new initiative.
    Yours in a Hole,     Mole.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Hardwick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 11:06 AM
Subject: Re: Princess Royal baths


> Dear list
>
> Below is the text of a press release about the pithead baths, at the
> former
> Princess Royal Colliery site in the Forest of Dean
>
> Anyone who wants to help should write to the Head of Planning Services,
> Forest of Dean District Council Council Offices, Coleford, GL16 8HG by
> 25th
> July 2008. The planning aplication number is P0718/08/FUL
>
> Regards
>
> David
>
>
>
> *PRESS RELEASE*
>
>
> PLEASE WOULD YOU HELP THE FOREST OF DEAN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY AND MR
> RUSSELL BAKER IN OUR PLEA FOR A BRIEF STAY OF EXECUTION FOR THE PRINCESS
> ROYAL PITHEAD BATHS BUILDING WHILST THIS LATEST PROPOSAL IS AT LEAST
> CONSIDERED.
>
> The Forest of Dean Local History Society has campaigned since 2002 to
> retain
> the iconic Baths building at Princess Royal, which is a lasting tribute to
> Forest of Dean Miners.
>
> We have supported various proposals for the re-use of the building and
> have
> met with representatives of SWRDA, English Partnerships and FODDC to
> further
> these ideas.
>
> SWRDA have tried unsuccessfully to sell the building over the last few
> years
> and I
> recently received a letter from them informing me of the impending
> demolition of the building. FODLHS were sadly resigned to the fact that
> this
> would happen and were ready to work with SWRDA on the preparation of an
> interpretation board.
>
> I then spoke to Russell Baker of Universal Railway Equipment Ltd; who
> works
> in conjunction with Network Rail and BT and occupies the site of the
> Princess Royal offices across the road from the baths building. He informs
> me that he has approached SWRDA on numerous occasions with a view to
> purchasing the baths building to use as a training centre for the many
> railway workers requiring instruction on how to use the equipment used for
> track laying and maintenance. He would also look to expand into training
> for
> BT engineers with regard to working with scaffolding and working at
> height.
> He feels that the baths building would make an ideal all weather training
> centre for training in these areas and much more.
>
> Mr Baker has all the heavy equipment required to restore the building and
> has knowledge of concrete cancer, which he has encountered, on the
> railways.
> He is currently three quarters of the way to restoring the Princess Royal
> Office block making that building into useful office space whilst
> retaining
> many of the original features such as tiling, roof structures and windows.
> He certainly has the expertise and knowledge to restore the baths building
> and as he would only use the upper floor, he intends to keep the lower
> levels for the bat population and with assistance from local bat
> authorities
> turn this lower level into a viewing centre for the public to view the
> bats
> via one way glass using live feed cameras. He would also like to create a
> small centre detailing the history of Princess Royal itself as he has many
> artefacts collected from the baths site, the office building and the mine
> itself that would make a wonderful display and a lasting tribute to the
> people that worked at Princess Royal. All of which would help preserve the
> memory of Princess Royal for future generations.
>
> I am, therefore, requesting that Mr. Foley, Head of Regeneration at SWRDA,
> together with the head of Planning Services at FODDC, Bill Cronin,
> Conservation Officer of the FODDC, the Forestry Commission, Nick Downs,
> Senior Ecologist of Creswell Associates (Expert on bats), Dawn Walker of
> SWRDA and Ms S. Osborne the agent meet with myself and Mr Russell Baker at
> a
> time suitable to everyone to discuss the possibility of Mr. Baker
> purchasing
> the site.
>
> I feel that this option would not only save would not only save SWRDA the
> cost of demolition but would provide a useful community and National
> centre
> for training Railway employees.
>
> I should like to ask for a brief stay of execution for the building whilst
> this latest proposal is at least considered.
>
> I should like to ask for your help please
> Yours sincerely,
>
> Averil Kear
>
> Conservation Officer, Forest of Dean Local History Society
>
>
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