Planning has been granted to demolish 26, Wilford Lane in West Bridgford – a historic building with links to one of Nottingham’s greatest sons Jesse Boot.
26 Wilford Lane is one of the few remaining historic buildings on the West Bridgford side of the Trent, with the majority having been demolished to make space for new developments.
The building is a unique and eye-catching feature on the banks of the Trent.
The building was designed and built alongside Jesse Boot’s summer house, Plaisaunce, where Jesse would entertain his employees with dances, musical performances, swimming and fireworks.
In the 1920s The Boot family bought the land opposite (on the Meadows side of the Trent).
The ‘New Park’ was laid out with grass and trees, and provided a barrier against flooding as well as a pleasant walkway alongside the river.
As part of the development, an imposing war memorial gateway was built, with the aid of funds from Jesse Boot.
This land is still an invaluable part of the Nottingham landscape and is enjoyed by many year-round.
Unfortunately, Plaisaunce was demolished in the 60s, however, the residents of Nottingham have been lucky that 26 Wilford Lane remains to this day. The building is part of the history of Nottingham and as such should be preserved.
Tom Keen, a resident in West Bridgford is contacting Historic England to try to get the building protected in some way in the hope that demolition can be avoided.
Tom, 42, from West Bridgford said:
‘Please sign this petition to ask planners to rethink their approval to demolish this historic and culturally significant building to erect one of the two architecturally insignificant buildings shown here.’
‘”It’s a unique Victorian riverside property. I would always marvel and imagine who lived there as I was driven by my dad along the embankment as a kid.
“There is no other property left standing of its type on the river. The views overlooking the river will be substantially diminished by its demolition. The recent planning application does away with all nods to the original building.
“Nottingham is to lose an architecturally and culturally significant building. We want variety and a record of history, not profit above all. There are plenty of new developments and space for them along the river.
“We should save our old impressive buildings.”
Tom’s partner Jordan Welsh said: “I have always loved this building. It’s a real shame nothing is being done to preserve it. I run down here, I walk down here and it’s an integral part of the landscape. It’s a very English dream to have a home with a turret. There is surely a balance between preserving history and building new homes for people.”
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson said: “The site has been subject to a transparent independent planning process and two applications being approved, the first in 2019 for a building comprising a one-bed dwelling to the Wilford Lane frontage and a building to the rear, encompassing four apartments.
“The further application in 2021 proposed a single building encompassing six apartments to the rear of the site with an altered design compared with the first submission.”
“As with all planning applications, views were sought from residents, the public and all stakeholders at the time of planning submissions and fully taken into consideration when decisions on the application were made.”
