Tower Hill Water Tower
| Tower Hill Water Tower | |
|---|---|
 The water tower in 2007 |
|
| General information | |
| Type | Water tower |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Location | Ormskirk, Lancashire |
| Construction started | 1853 |
| Completed | 1854 |
| Height | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Client | Ormskirk Local Board of Health |
Tower Hill Water Tower is a disused water tower and local landmark in Ormskirk, Lancashire. Situated on the east side of Tower Hill, it was built between 1853-4 for Ormskirk Local Board of Health,[1] and is reputed to be the oldest remaining water tower in the country.[2] It was awarded Grade II* listed status in 1976,[1] and is on the Buildings at Risk Register.[3] The area immediately surrounding the tower has been used as allotments since the mid 20th century.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Structure
The tower is built in the Romanesque Revival style, constructed of coursed, squared sandstone, and arranged in a square plan. On each side are two narrow full-height Romanesque arches, all with stepped surrounds and arch-bands, and linked by an impost band. Above the arches is a plain frieze with carved grotesques at the corners, topped with machicolated corbelling.[1][5]
In its present state, the tower stands at a height of approximately 17 metres (56 ft). Originally, the stonework was surmounted by a metal water tank with a pitched slate-covered roof, which added an extra 6.2 metres (20 ft) to the height of the structure. Due to its poor condition, the tank was removed in the early 1990s.[2]
[edit] Proposed developments
Planning permission was granted in 1988 for the conversion of the tower into a single dwelling, though the scheme was never implemented. Subsequent applications to convert the tower into offices or an apartment block were either refused or withdrawn.[2] A more recent application for conversion into seven apartments was made in 2004, though this has also been rejected,[2][6] and an appeal against the decision was dismissed in April 2008.[7]
Development of the site has met with opposition from local residents,[2][4] and local Conservative councillor Adrian Owens was amongst critics of the most recent application.[6][8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Water Tower on Tower Hill". Images of England, English Heritage. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=386420&mode=adv. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ a b c d e "Planning Permission Application No. 8/2004/1644 and Listed Building Consent Application No. 8/2004/1645". West Lancashire District Council. http://webdocs.westlancsdc.gov.uk/coins/ViewSelectedDocument.asp?DocumentID=9766. Retrieved 2008-07-29.[dead link]
- ^ "Water Tower, Tower Hill". Heritage at Risk Register, English Heritage. p. 199. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/heritage-at-risk-register-north-west-region/harnorthwestacc.pdf/. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
- ^ a b James, Henry (2008-01-30). "Battle to save allotments". The Champion. http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=6426. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ Pollard, Richard; Pevsner, Nikolaus; Sharples, Joseph (2006). Lancashire: Liverpool and the Southwest. Yale University Press. pp. 535. ISBN 0300109105. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Dl_ghLUNVGsC&pg=RA1-PA535&dq=ormskirk+%22water+tower+%22&lr=&num=100&sig=ACfU3U08zEiAWUoZBQi0BnmOSnc-FBOidg#PRA1-PA535,M1. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ a b "Planning Rejection first step to a better heritage landmark". Adrian Owens. 2007-07-28. http://www.adrianowens.com/news14.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ "Register of Planning Appeals Received 2007". West Lancashire District Council. 2008-06-13. pp. 10. http://www.westlancashire.gov.uk/pdf/Appeal%20Reg%20200713-06-08.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ "Consign Water Tower Plan to Reject Bin". Adrian Owens. 2007-02-27. http://www.adrianowens.com/news8.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
[edit] See also
- Jumbo Water Tower, a water tower of similar design in Colchester, Essex
