EXCLUSIVE

MEMBERS of the Bromsgrove Society, which is striving to stop the town's redundant Parkside School from being bulldozed, say they are now keeping a close watch in case a demolition order is issued.

The imposing Edwardian building in Stourbridge Road has been earmarked by the county council as the site for the town's new combined police and fire station.

But the society, which is trying to get it listed with English Heritage, is keen to see the building saved and put to other uses — or at least to see the facade preserved.

Last week, as rumours that the issuing of a demolition order was ‘imminent’, society chairman, Jim Griffith, and the chairman of the district council’s environment committee, Ron Skidmore, met county council properly department chiefs at County Hall to discuss the matter.

Later Mr Griffith said: “We were not shown any plans. We put our case for the building’s retention and voiced our fears about vehicular access to the busy Parkside junction and suggested a better location for a fire station would be Barnsley Hall Drive.”

Mr Skidmore, who is an architect, said the listed building application is ‘in the system’ but added: “We propose to keep a watchful eye on the situation, but should a demolition order be submitted before any decision on the listing of the building is made we may have to consider all alternative options including legal action.”

Society members have requested a meeting with the county council’s design team to review the potential for saving at least some of the building.