What a difference 40 miles makes to the protectors of heritage – but still our Northern history crumbles

A Mancunian rant!

As Hough Hall crumbles into oblivion, British Heritage – one of the organisation that could have helped us Mostonians save it – are ‘weeping’ over another vanished listed building 40 miles up the road.

We probably all know Hurst Green, Longridge, in Preston, that scruffy little industrial town up the A6 (I think) that made North Manchester look posh … b

But who recalls the haunted, historic Grade 11 listed Punch Bowl Inn?

I do! A good few country miles travelled for a few pints of real ale and a micro-waved meat and potato pie with soggy chips.

Brilliant! That’s what us Northerners thrive on!

Anyway, the Punch Bowl Inn just disappeared a few days ago, leaving people upset and the indignant council saying they are ‘looking into it’.

Into what? It’s been empty for almost 15 years – and they didn’t care then did they?

Here’s part of the problem … the Heritage Statement from English Heritage, submitted to the council about the pub in 2012, said: “Owing to the building’s designated heritage status care is needed to avoid harming the significance of the building in line with the requirements of planning law and policy.”

At least English Heritage recognised the status of the pub, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Dick Turpin, the grandad of Coronation Street’s hotpot queen Betty Turpin.

This is what they had to say about the pub another time: “As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification.

“Substantial harm or loss to a Grade II listed building should be exceptional.”

The Heritage statement also said that where a development proposal would lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of the heritage building, the harm should be weighed against the public benefits; and rather than harm the building, any changes should enhance its significance and give it a new lease of life.

Well, that’s not what they said about Hough Hall is it?

Hough Hall was 200 years older, in a better position, more attractive, part of Moston’s rural history, had a beautiful artistic and heart-breaking love story attached to it… and nobody in power cared.

The responsibility for the future of this beautiful and evocative 17th century farmhouse also lies with two organisations who should right now hang their heads in shame.

The first one is of course Manchester City Council … you see, despite what they say,  local authorities can take action to ‘secure repair when it becomes evident that a building is being allowed to deteriorate’.

But MCC nailed their colours to the mast when they told the preservation society’s chief researcher Andrea Martin-Banks there was nothing they would do to protect the near-derelict hall.

History in a hole.

The next port of call then is Historic England, the Siamese Twin of English Heritage.

They say on their website: “Historic England have produced guidance to help owners and purchasers of vacant buildings to reduce risks by undertaking an ‘active management approach’ that can prevent unnecessary damage, dereliction and loss of historic fabric.”

But when approached by Andrea, Historic England simply referred her back to Manchester City Council.

And that was it!

Ultimately nobody saved the Punch Bowl and nobody saved Hough Hall. But what a difference 40 Northern miles makes … they might be crocodile tears in Preston, but at least somebody is shedding some kind of a tear.

What’s happening in Moston, only dry eyes in the house.

The people to contact at Manchester City Council and Historic Britain are:

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council T

Telephone: 0161 234 3004

Email: [email protected]

Duncan Wilson OBE is the chief executive of Historic England

Telephone: 020 7973 3250

#PUNCHBOWLINN #houghhall #preston #moston