The site, near the citys bus interchange, links Park Lane and Holmeside and houses a range of retail units.

The council previously confirmed that the demolition aims to progress and encourage new uses for the site.

According to the planning application, several buildings at the site have exceeded their useful economic lifespan.

Following consultation, the councils planning department ruled that prior approval for the works was not required.

A planning report sets out the reasons for the decision: Based on the submitted information, the proposed nature, method of demolition and restoration details are considered appropriate and the works are not considered to have an unacceptable impact on any nearby properties.

It is considered that the information supplied is sufficient to ensure that the proposed demolition would be carried out safely and efficiently and that the overall site would be adequately cared for post demolition.

The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of the method of demolition and proposed reinstatement of the land.

Therefore, it is not considered necessary to exercise control over the proposed demolition and prior approval is not consequently required.

The demolition works will include market units 6-17 and 25-30, the free standing stalls in the main courtyard and the removal of the steel/plastic pedestrian walkway at the site.

Boundary walls would be structurally supported with columns salvaged from the dismantling of the pedestrian walkway.

And when demolition work is completed, the site would be cleared of all debris and secured to prevent public access.

The project is estimated for completion in late January 2021.

According to planning documents, the works would be carried out with regard to all ecology and wildlife legislation.

However, units 31-36 and the covered market entrance off Holmeside are not included in the demolition plan.

Any plans to erect or rebuild any structure at the site in future may require a further planning application.

Read the original:
Demolition of Park Lane Market in Sunderland gets go-ahead to start - Sunderland Echo

A last-minute appeal has been filed to save an old glass factory workers home from death by wrecking ball.

The condemned structure is a small, weather-beaten, shingled home with a pink door at 18 State Street. Two weeks ago, the Sandwich Historic District Committee gave the homes new owner permission to knock it down.

Just before the 10-day waiting period was up, the HDCs decision was appealed to the Old Kings Highway Regional Historic District Commission, the Sandwich HDCs parent organization.

The appeal halted the demolitionat least for now.

James R. Wilson, administrative counsel for the regional commission, said in a telephone interview this week that the appeal would be heard in mid-December. He could not be more specific because he must coordinate with Sandwich Community Television about simulcasting the remote Zoom hearing.

The appeal must, by law, be heard within 30 days of its filing with the Sandwich town clerks office.

Richard A. Claytor, a former HDC chairman, filed the appeal with the Sandwich Town Clerks office on November 19.

In it, he cited the following reasons for the appeal:

The Sandwich HDC failed to allow for the submission of most public comment at its November 12 public hearing on the demolition permit

The HDC failed to follow its own demolition review guidelines before issuing the demo permit

The HDC failed to take into consideration that the structure is included in the Jarvesville District included in the National Register of Historic Places

The appeal asks the regional commission to reverse the local HDCs decision.

Mr. Claytor declined to discuss the appeal with The Enterprise this week. He has, however, been a vocal advocate for preserving the rapidly dwindling stock of Sandwichs historic homes.

The house is a two-family homeone of three structures originally on the sitebelieved to have been built between 1830 and 1850 for workers of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company.

The HDC voted 3-2 in favor of demolition on November 12 after a tense meeting and a disagreement about whether emails from the public, which had been sent to the wrong addressbut had subsequently been discovered in the workplace mailbox of the HDCs administratorshould be read aloud into the record.

Chairman William R. Collins asked that the vote be delayed for two weeks. That delay would allow the emails to be sent to the correct addressand read into the recordand would allow time for the committee members to visit the house, possibly accompanied by a restoration expert.

It is better to make haste slowly and to avoid any appearance of cutting people off, Mr. Collins said at the time.

But committee vice chairman Mary Foley argued that the correct email address was published in the newspaper and on the town website, and emails sent elsewhere should not be accepted.

The building is too far gone to save, Ms. Foley added.

Despite the buildings decrepitude, however, many preservationists reportedly believe the house can be saved. But instead of sending emails expressing those views to the HDCs public comment email, they sent emails directly to the workplace mailbox of Michelle Y. Raymond, the committees administrator.

During the November 13 meeting, Ms. Raymond repeatedly offered to read the emails aloud, or forward them to the correct address, but Ms. Foley was adamant about not allowing Ms. Raymond to do so.

Go here to see the original:
Appeal Filed To Save Old Home From Demolition - CapeNews.net

ROCKLAND, Maine The City Council is considering a six-month moratorium on the demolition of buildings downtown to give the citys historic preservation committee time to evaluate which structures should be preserved.

It comes as the owner of a downtown building has proposed tearing down a majority of the structure and paving the site for parking. The council previously considered a ban on commercial parking lots in the downtown area to stop the developer, but has since postponed that measure.

City councilors will meet with property owner Crystal Darling on Dec. 7 to hear why she wants to tear the building down before giving final consideration to the demolition moratorium on Dec. 14.

If passed, it would temporarily halt the demolition of Darlings property at 279 Main St.

This wont prevent the buildings from ever being demolished but the Historic Preservation Commission would like certain buildings to be given the chance for someone to rehab before demolition, Rockland City Manager Tom Luttrell said.

Darlings property sits at a major intersection in downtown Rockland and is home to Park Street Grille, among other businesses.

The 15,000-square-foot building was constructed in the 1950s. Under Darlings proposal, the majority of the building, including the portion that houses Park Street Grille, would be torn down. In its place, a commercial parking lot would be constructed, with parking for the buildings remaining tenants and long-term leased spaces.

The portion where Franks Family Hair Care and Breakwater Design and Build Inc. currently operate would remain intact.

Since plans were submitted to the planning board earlier this fall, the city council has been scrambling to determine the best way to pump the brakes on the proposal.

Former City Councilor Valli Geiger proposed a stricter review process for parking lots within the downtown district, stating that surface lots dont mesh with the long-term vision for the city.

An outright ban on stand-alone commercial lots was ultimately added to Geigers proposal. The council has indefinitely postponed final approval of Geigers proposal.

While councilors ultimately agree that a parking lot would provide few benefits to downtown, some have voiced concern over changing the rules amid an active application for demolition.

As disgusted as I am at giving more space to vehicles, if it was my building and it was not economically viable, I would be angry if I was told I couldnt tear it down and use it as a parking lot, Councilor Ben Dorr said at an Oct. 14 council meeting.

There will be a public hearing on the demolition moratorium before the council considers it for final approval on Dec. 14.

Link:
A nearly 70-year-old downtown Rockland building could be torn down to build a parking lot - Bangor Daily News

Progressive House Democrats on Tuesday called on Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoTrump senior advisers dissuaded president from military strike on Iran: report Trump national security adviser vows 'professional transition' of power With Biden, a Saudi reboot MORE to condemn Israels demolition of a rural Beduin community, a move that displaced dozens of people, including children, in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank.

In a letter to the secretary, 40 House Democrats called on Pompeo to push the Israeli government to halt any further demolitions and accused Israel of creeping annexation, violating international law and a grave humanitarian issue.

Creeping annexation cannot be a policy that the U.S. government supports if we wish to see peace in the region, the letter, which was led by Rep. Mark PocanMark William PocanHouse launches new COVID-19 testing program Top contender for Biden Defense chief would be historic pick Overnight Defense: 5 US service members killed in international peacekeeping helicopter crash in Egypt | Progressives warn Biden against Defense nominee with contractor ties | Trump executive order to ban investment in Chinese military-linked companies MORE (D-Wisc.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), read.

It is imperative that in your waning two months in office human rights violations, and violations of international law, continue to be forcefully rejected by the American government. It is the only way that a peaceful, comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved.

Signatories includedCPC co-chair Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalProgressive House Democrats to host health care strategy session Progressives unveil Biden Cabinet wish list Intercept bureau chief: Pelosi should focus on Georgia special elections amid 'absurd' fighting among Democrats MORE (D-Wash.); Rep. Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by UAE - US records 1 million COVID-19 cases in a week; governors crack down Pelosi faces caucus divisions in Biden era Ocasio-Cortez tweets displeasure of Manchin after he attacks 'crazy socialist agenda' MORE (D-Mich.), the first Palestinian-American woman of Congress;and Rep. Joaquin CastroJoaquin CastroDozens of progressive groups endorse Joaquin Castro for Foreign Affairs chair Castro pledges to term limit himself if elected Foreign Affairs chair Former DNC finance chairman Henry Muoz: Latinos 'need to lead ourselves' MORE (D-Texas), who is running for chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The letter is in response to Israels Nov. 3 demolition of nearly all of the structures that made up the Beduin community of Khierbet Humsah, including more than 100 tents and sheds that served as living space, cooking space,storage quarters, livestock pens, water containers and solar panels, according to human rights groups.

The demolition displaced 74 people including 41 children, the rights groups said.

The action drew further outrage from the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which said it was the largest single demolition by Israel of the last decade.

Israel has this year demolished nearly 700 hundred structures belonging to Palestinians and Beduins, nomadic Arabs that identify as Palestinian, thatofficialssay are illegally built in Area C of the West Bank, which under the Oslo Accords falls under Israeli civil and military administration. But Palestinians and human rights groups say it is nearly impossible to attain building permits that would legalize such structures and allow them to update, build or expand their homes.

The Israeli government defended its demolition of Khierbet Humsah, describing it as an enforcement activity carried out against seven tents and eight animal pens that were illegally constructed in a firing range in the Jordan Valley used by the Israel Defense Forces, the Times of Israel reported.

The letter comes ahead of Pompeos trip to Israel this week, where he is expected to visit the Israeli settlement of Psagot in the West Bank, marking the first such visit by a secretary of State to territory considered by the international community as illegally occupied by Israel.

The Trump administration in November 2019 reversed State Department policy that viewed Israeli settlements as illegal.

Pocan, in a statement, called Pompeos planned visit to Psagot unprecedented and disgraceful.

He further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau of using the U.S. election to cover up gross human rights atrocities and of threatening a two-state solution to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. The congressional Democratalleged the demolition amounted to a defacto annexation of Palestinian land.

Netanyhau had agreed to suspend plans for annexation in exchange for opening diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and brokered by the U.S. as the Abraham Accords.

Destroying homes and displacing 41 Palestinian children demonstrates a clear act of aggression by the state of Israel and is intentionally oppositional to securing peace or a two-state solution in the region, Pocan said in a statement. There is no excuse for the de facto annexation of Palestinian land, and America cannot remain silent in the face of these human rights abuses any longer.

Read the original:
Progressive Democrats call on Pompeo to condemn Israeli demolition of Beduin village | TheHill - The Hill

ELKINS, W.Va. The process of tearing down and removing the old bleachers at Elkins Wimer Stadium has begun.

The process is expected to take around five weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

Most, if not all, of the interior of the press box that sits above the home bleachers has been removed, and crews will spend the next five weeks or so taking down the rest of the seats that are currently positioned on each side of the field.

The bleachers at Wimer Stadium were deemed unfit for games in August, just before the start of the regular season.

Due to that ruling, made by an inspector, the Tigers football team was forced to play every game away from their home stadium, and all but one game outside of Randolph County.

The announcement that the bleachers at Wimer Stadium would be torn down was made in late October.

It remains unclear at this time what direction the school and the city will go in, when it comes to the home of the Elkins football team, once the bleachers have been torn down.

Follow this link:
Demolition process begins for bleachers at Elkins Wimer Stadium - WBOY.com

The Historic Landmark Commission voted at itsOct. 26 meeting to again postpone discussion on the proposal to demolish a pair of homes located in AustinsAir-Conditioned Village until its November meeting.

The two houses, at 2505 and 2507 Park View Drive, are significant due to their location. TheAir-Conditioned Village was built in the early 1950s as one of several nationwide experiments in building middle-class housing with central air conditioning, something that had previously been considered an upper-class luxury.

I strongly support the demolition permits for both these homes, primarily on the basis that denying the permits is going to impose an undue burden on the homeowners and that the homes are long past their usual life and are functionally deficient, said Azim Hajjar, who lives across the street from 2507. When the original residents moved out, they left (the home) in a completely dilapidated condition.

2505 Park View Drive

Dominique Levesque, owner of 2507 and developer of 2505, submitted petitions to demolish both houses in order to build new single-family homes in their place, saying in a letter to the Historic Landmark Commission that the houses are outdated and inefficiently built.

In her letter, Levesque specifically noted issues with the houses failing foundations and costly plumbing replacements.

Tim Patrick, owner of 2505, spoke at the meeting in favor of demolishing the building, saying it is in poor condition and has been remodeled too many times to be considered a midcentury house.

So much of the house has been altered, theres not really much we can do with it, Patrick said. We do, however, want to build a new midcentury house that is brick and looks like it belongs in the neighborhood.

Preservation Austin submitted letters arguing against the demolitions.

The Air-Conditioned Village has seen too many demolitions, at a rapidly increased rate, over the past several years, Preservation Austin President Clayton Bullock wrote. Today only 15 of the original 23 homes retain integrity. Every loss brings us closer to losing any chance for a historic district to honor and protect these buildings.

After hearing from community members, the Historic Landmark Commission voted 8-1 to postpone its decision pending further discussion.

Upon reconsideration, staff believes the best alternative here would be for a postponement and seeing if we could develop plans that would incorporate these houses, undo the modifications that have been done to them, and really do justice and homage to the Air-Conditioned Village, Commissioner Terri Myers said.

This story was written by a journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin. TheAustin Monitoris working in partnership with the UT School of Journalism to teach and publish stories produced by students in the City and County Government Reporting course.

The Austin Monitors work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.

Return to Today's Headlines

Read latest Whispers

Continued here:
Two more homes from the Air-Conditioned Village slated for demolition - Austin Monitor

Bench says it is the responsibility of the State to protect the weak during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Allahabad High Court has restrained the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) from carrying out demolition in a slum area in Ghaziabad, noting that the State should have offered a place to rehabilitate the residents before their eviction and demolition of their houses.

It would also be appropriate to state that when the entire globe is facing a pandemic, it is the responsibility of the State to protect everyone, more specifically the population of weaker sections from any hardship that may aggravate their plight adversely, the court stated.

It was hearing a petition seeking directions to the GDA to not undertake any further demolition and or eviction of residents of Bhovapur Basti behind Radisson Blue Hotel, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

In an order dated October 21, a Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Varma, while granting time to the GDA to file a counter affidavit, directed it not to proceed with the demolition till further orders.

The court also issued directions to provide temporary shelter to the residents of Bhovapur Basti whose houses have already been demolished and see to the viability of providing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Avas Yojna. All necessary arrangements should also be made as a temporary measure by the GDA to provide essential amenities, including light and water, to the residents.

The residents should also be extended all necessary medical facilities, the court said, and listed the next date for November 18 when the GDA would have to propose a complete plan for rehabilitation of the residents.

As per the petition, the basti came into existence in 1990 and labourers from different parts of the country live there. Some are involved in rag-picking.

The counsel for the petitioners had argued that the residents could not be evicted without providing them an alternative place of residence as prescribed under the Proviso to Section 26-A of the Uttar Pradesh Planning and Development Act, 1973.

Since the residents hailed from the lower section of society and looking to the need for rehabilitation of such persons, the State Legislature under the Act of 1973 protected their right of residence under the Proviso to Section 26-A, the petitioners had said.

The petitioners also prayed that the court direct the GDA and the State to undertake the complete rehabilitation of all the residents and pay 20,000 to each of them as compensation for unlawful demolition undertaken on September 30 and October 9.

As per the petitioner, the District Administration, Ghaziabad, at the instance of Ghaziabad Development Authority was continuously making efforts to remove the residents without providing them any alternative land for their rehabilitation.

The petitioners asserted that on October 9, some of the houses were damaged as an effort was made to evict the residents.

Apprehending complete demolition of houses, the writ was filed.

A.Q. Zaidi, counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners, said that about 150 houses had already been demolished by the GDA. According to the counsel, the residents whose houses have been demolished have no roof to protect themselves and they are living in the open.

While opposing the writ, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the GDA stated that whatever action taken by the Authority was in compliance of the directions given by the High Court on September 22, 2015 in PIL 2014 of 2015. It was also further by the administration stated that the residents of Bhovapur Basti were trespassers and, therefore, the encroachment made by them should be removed.

More:
Allahabad HC restrains Ghaziabad Development Authority from demolition in slum area - The Hindu

Ships recycling has taken a turn in favor of ship owners, as scarce tonnage has forced yards to compete for tonnage, leading to higher prices. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Clarkson Platou Hellas said that a new week but unfortunately this did not relate to a fresh deluge of tonnage for Buyers to ingrain themselves into and instead has meant that those vessels that have been circulated, have received positive competition resulting in each sale raising eyebrows to the benefit of Owners as price levels continue to remain firm and bubble just below the USD 400/per ldt mark in India and Pakistan. This is another situation to watch closely as the respective recycling destinations tussle for the market tonnage and increase their prices accordingly, often if Indian Buyers like a specific type of vessel they will pay whatever is needed to obtain it, but certainly indications from the Indian recyclers have narrowed towards the rates from Pakistan.

Source: Clarkson PLC

According to Clarkson Platou Hellas, interestingly, the Bangladesh Cartel has lasted yet another week as it tries to control the sharp price increases in the market and create a level playing field. Although with India and Pakistan being more attractive at present, they will soon need to increase their threshold to remain competitive and refrain from losing too much tonnage to its neighbouring counterparts. In Turkey, prices continue to maintain some common ground as they too are starting to see the number of available units for them diminish in the market, creating an ultra-competitive market place for any Owner with tonnage in the Mediterranean or North Continent. However those yards that have obtained EU approval are continuously bogged down with approaches and are now finding themselves fully booked for even Q1 of 2021, unless yards are given approval by the end of the year to ease capacity in the region, the shipbroker concluded.

Source: Clarkson PLC

In a separate report this week, GMS (http://www.gmsinc.net/), GMS said that the worlds leading cash buyer of ships, said thatAfter weeks of uncertainty following the formation of a cartel in Bangladesh and the ongoing volatility in competing markets (i.e. India & Pakistan), subcontinent prices finally appear to have somewhat settled this week. As the troublesome winter months approach and Covid-19 cases continue to rise across the globe, the focus has once again fallen on Europe where second spikes are being witnessed. In many areas, more cases and hospitalizations are being reported than before the lockdowns began in March April time, in further concerning developments over the recent past. Markets therefore remain somewhat on edge, as the seemingly unending search for a vaccine goes on and the economic fallout from the first round of lockdowns continues to be felt worldwide, the shipbroker said.

GMS added that there is also the uncertainty regarding the upcoming U.S. election (to be determined in November) and how long it may take to announce a winner with absentee voting, now likely to be required to register votes with Covid-19 still surging in the U.S. Supply into subcontinent markets for recycling has slowed over this last month or so, as charter markets particularly in the container and dry bulk sectors pick up again after a largely woeful first half of the year. At the far end, the Turkish market seems to have finally stabilized this week, with scrap steel imports firming up marginally and the Lira though weaker, has also been stable this week. In other news this week, GMS successfully concluded their fourth webinar in their Leadership series on the Hong Kong Convention and the role of Japan & Norway in making the first progressive steps in encouraging developments in the subcontinent and we would like to thank all those who tuned in once again, GMS concluded.

Source: GMS Leadership

Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Read more from the original source:
Ship Demolition Activity Finding It Hard To Recover - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Demolition work has started to tear down the eyesore multi-storey car park in West Bromwich town centre

The 1970s-built Queen Square Car Park, in Bull Street, is being demolished to make way for a mixture of homes, leisure and retail facilities.

Despite the Covid-19 crisis causing havoc on town centres, the investment programme agreed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Sandwell Council is pressing ahead, kick starting plans to revitalise the centre of West Bromwich.

The heavy demolition machinery has already begun to tear down the multi-storey car park.

The WMCA has helped to make the regeneration scheme possible by providing funding to cover the demolition costs.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said Even before coronavirus struck, high streets were struggling to keep up with changing shopping habits and the fast rise of online retailers. The pandemic and subsequent lockdown and restrictions has only served to exasperate that, and it is clear a major rethink is needed.

I still firmly believe that town centres and high streets can be the beating heart of communities once again, but they need to move away from being so retail-focused and look to diversify their offering.

"That means more homes, public services, offices, and start-up spaces, combined with better transport links and safety measures.

Here at the WMCA we are trying to help facilitate that change through our town centre taskforce, and the demolition of Bull Street car park to make way for a mix of new homes, leisure and retail is a prime example of what we are trying to achieve.

Work such as this also helps to create and protect local jobs at what is a very challenging time economically due to coronavirus.

Sandwell Council's deputy leader, Councillor Maria Crompton, added: Here in Sandwell, as all over the country, Covid-19 has disrupted so much and put so many demands on our resources that authorities have had to put important work on hold.

But we are still pressing ahead with our key projects despite that we still have to look to the future, especially for our young people.

Creating better economic prospects is vital and this regeneration and development will be home to a thriving new residential and business community in the heart of town, with more greenery and safe open spaces.

It will bring local jobs and opportunities and I look forward to working together on many more projects across the borough.

See the original post here:
WATCH: Demolition work starts to tear down eyesore West Bromwich car park - expressandstar.com

Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) on Wednesday carried out a demolition drive in Sector 57 to clear out 30 plots on a piece of land, which have been encroached upon by private individuals over the last few years. The land, which was acquired by HSVP from local villagers, has been stuck in litigation for the last one-and-a-half decade. Last month, the Punjab and Haryana High Court gave the order in HSVPs favour. This has now enabled the authority to hand over the possession of these plots to the allottees who are the rightful owners, said HSVP officials.

On Wednesday morning, a team of HSVP officials demolished 22 temporary residential structures, 50 tenements and two shops amid strong resistance and protest by residents and locals. Vivek Kalia, estate officer, HSVP, Gurugram, said that these plots had been encroached upon. However, after the high courts verdict, the plots will now be handed over to the rightful owners. The enforcement team started the work to remove the encroachments in the morning, said Kalia, adding that due to the HC verdict in its favour, the authority would be able to hand over more than 800 plots, which were earlier stuck due to litigation.

The enforcement team was led by SK Rana, sub-divisional engineer, survey, and Kartar Singh, naib tehsildar, who was the duty magistrate, while a large police team supported the authority officials during the drive.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kalia said encroachments were also removed from sectors 27 and sector 43 dividing roads. A number of complaints had been made by residents regarding the encroachments on main roads. Action was taken against the violators and they would not be allowed on these roads again, said Kalia.

Here is the original post:
HSVP carries out demolition drive in Sector 57 - Hindustan Times