Old Hinckley building that thousands drive past every day could be demolished

Developers have put in a new planning application to demolish a building that has stood in Hinckley for around a century.

Applicant Goodman Real Estate want to demolish Johnsons Cleaners and other buildings on the same site in Rugby Road, Hinckley.

If permission is granted and demolition work has been completed the leftover materials will be recycled and a perimeter fence will be put up around the site.

The new application follows another application, submitted in August, to demolish the buildings and erect a new retail development.

No decision has been made on either application.

A letter sent in support of the latest application suggests that "matters remain unresolved with LCC Highways" relating to the previous application.

A heritage assessment completed in support of the latest application says the building is now "redundant".

It adds: "Communal interest in the building is limited.

"It has only attracted attention since 2017 and there is no identifiable tradition of appreciation associated with it beyond a local familiarity.

"These heritage values reflect the changing nature of the historic landscape and more recent development.

"In 2012 and the Sketchley Dye works was demolished and the building now remains as an isolated survival of a former industrial site today characterized by modern recreational, retail and housing development.

"In conclusion the site of the proposed development has little heritage significance beyond local interest."

The assessment continues: "The stables are not associated with significant historic events, even at local level, and have not, until recently, attracted any community interest."

There were plans to demolish the buildings last year, with work expected to begin in February.

But that never happened, with the council instead making an article 4 direction.

That means the owner of the building has to submit a full planning application enabling Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to consult the community before any demolition takes place.

Last year a council spokesperson said: "Officers have identified the heritage interest of the former DM Rock and Sons building and are aware it is identified in the heritage section of the emerging Burbage Neighbourhood Plan as a building of local importance, so while the building currently has no statutory or special protection, the council wanted to allow the building’s future to be considered as part of any planning proposal for that site."