Emergency action needed at Home Bargains in Poulton-le-Fylde over safety concerns
“The alternative to controlled demolition would be to leave a severely deteriorated structure in place, with the foreseeable risk of an uncontrolled collapse onto a member of the public.”
Part of the entrance to a major store in Poulton will have to be demolished as there are concerns it could soon become unsafe to the public.
The external pagoda-style canopy structure located at the entrance of the Home Bargains store at The Market Hall on Queensway, is said to have been affected by corrosion, meaning the canopy will have to be removed “as a matter of urgency”.
A planning application has been lodged with Wyre Council seeking permission to carry out the work.
To support the proposals, a Planning and Heritage Statement has been submitted providing details of the project.
It states: “The canopy is a free-standing structure built with hollow metal tube columns, PFC channel frames and ornate stiffeners.
“The frame supports reinforced glazed panels and a boarded roof section finished with lead waterproofing and a cupola clock tower.
“Significant corrosion was observed throughout the supporting columns and roof framing members. Several columns exhibit advanced section loss at their bases, with perforations and delaminating metal consistent with long-term exposure and inadequate protective coating maintenance.
“Roof panels are cracked and displaced in several areas, and the supporting netting is deteriorated.
“The remaining material is unlikely to provide sufficient resistance to wind uplift or accidental impact, and the canopy’s proximity to pedestrian and vehicular areas heightens the associated health and safety risk.
“The corrosion at ground level also suggests potential undermining of the column bases and fixings, which could lead to sudden failure without warning.”
The Statement says the proposed demolition of the pagoda is considered necessary and justified and that the structure is a modern addition associated with the post-1970s commercial redevelopment of the town centre and makes only a limited contribution to the Poulton-le-Fylde Conservation Area.
It concludes: “In practical terms, the alternative to controlled demolition would be to leave a severely deteriorated structure in place, with the foreseeable risk of an uncontrolled collapse onto a pedestrian or other member of the public.
“Such an outcome would be unacceptable and reinforces the urgent need for its safe removal.”
Home Bargains was approached for a comment.