Gathering steam

The campaign to save Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield for the community continues apace. Dave Moore has been putting heart and soul into this for some months now, and he needs a little bit of help.

I know that Andy Dennis has worked in planning, and may be able to help or at least point Dave at someone who can. I, and I’m sure all readers of this blog support the aim to preserve and maintain this historic building – and the engine it contains – for posterity. Sandfields is a landmark on the skyline of Lichfield from the south, and a handsome piece of architecture in it’s own right.

Do pop over to Dave Moore’s blog and check out the history of this almost forgotten gem.

I can’t really add much here, so I’ll let Dave put it in his own words.

Dear Bob

I wonder if it would be possible to put a help request on your blog.

Things at Sandfields are moving, but ever so slowly. We’re hoping for a grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to carry out an options appraisal. This is basically a heritage assessment and will assessing the viability of possible end uses for the building and contents. This options appraisal should be completed by August 2013.

In the mean time, while we are waiting for the heritage assessment to take place, I feel that the next most urgent task would be to upgrade the listing status of the building and engine from grade ll to grade ii*.

I have already had a few phone calls with English Heritage about this, unfortunately they will not do it for us; we have to make an application to amend the listing status.

I have made a start, however two heads are better than one and three are better still, so was wondering if any of your readers had any previous experience or knowledge of doing this, and if so could they offer any help or advice?

Regards

David Moore

If you feel you can help, please comment here and I’ll hook you up with Dave, or send me an email at BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot Com. Cheers.