Battle joined to save derelict but historic concrete building

Developers have submitted plans for 78 homes and a shop built on two sites off Bridlington Avenue in Hull.

The proposals would also see the Grade Two listed Hennebique building on Caroline Street, retained and converted into flats.

But a three-storey, mid-Victorian building, known as the Bottom Shop, would be demolished, also for flats.

Although unexceptional to the passerby, the workshop built by Rose, Downs and Thompsons Ltd in June 13 1901 for the manufacture of machinery used in the edible oil industry, marked a new era in construction, being built from reinforced concrete.

It is now one of only two surviving Hennebique buildings in the whole of Britain and the only one left in England.

Empty since the mid 1990s, the building is now on Hull Council's listed buildings at risk register.

In his report to planners, Humber Archeology Partnership Manager Dave Evans said: "Even though the Hennebique building and the Bottom Shop have been sadly neglected in recent years and have been allowed to get into a dilapidated state, these are still worth keeping."

He adds: "The proposed demolition of the Bottom Shop would clearly result in substantial damage and harm to a designated heritage asset."

But Barry Evans, of architects Gammond Evans Crichton, said the proposals would bring a neglected building back into use.

The two buildings would be joined in a style sympathetically reflecting the Hennebique architecture.