Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear . . .

[Flyfisher]

I've no real idea of the rights and wrongs of this unfortunate saga but I suspect that any such argument that ends up in court is more likely to enrich the various legal pockets than to help protect the rather magnificent building at the centre of the dispute

Hopwood DePree: US film-maker in legal battle with Rochdale council over 'Downton Shabby'

Hopwood DePree takes Rochdale council to the High Court over control of his ancestral stately home.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Cubist]

Regrettably I suspect you will be proven right Flyfisher and sadly it may well be that its the house that's the only loser.

 

[Gothichome]

So what happens if the building loses it’s benefactor, does it site sit in a state of incompleteness until the council or British heritage come up with the money. If no money becomes available does it go into demolition by neglect?

 

[Itchinfilth]

I've been following the restoration via YouTube and it's had a great amount of volunteers helping out which looks to have been great for the local community and provided learning opportunities on heritage trades. Sad state of affairs given this should be the last thing the Councils are focusing on.

 

[Flyfisher]

So what happens if the building loses it’s benefactor, does it site sit in a state of incompleteness until the council or British heritage come up with the money. If no money becomes available does it go into demolition by neglect?

Good questions and my concerns as well. We probably don't know the whole story but on the face of it it seems like someone was keen enough to take on a decaying building and put time and money into restoring it (along with many volunteers by the sounds of it as well - thanks for that @Itchenfilth) and now the building looks like being saved the council is getting involved again and causing more harm than good. A sad state of afffairs indeed.

 

[Flyfisher]

And in other news . . . .

30,000 homes fitted with botched insulation under government schemes, ministers admit

The government has documented the number of homes blighted by sub-standard work for the first time.

www.bbc.co.uk

Are the official, supposedly expert, bodies that run these schemes really so incompetent? It really is quite depressing.

 

[Gothichome]

And in other news . . . .

30,000 homes fitted with botched insulation under government schemes, ministers admit

The government has documented the number of homes blighted by sub-standard work for the first time.

www.bbc.co.uk

Are the official, supposedly expert, bodies that run these schemes really so incompetent? It really is quite depressing.

A sad state of affairs were the government lets these thing happen with unvetted contractors and fly by nighters. As we all know in the old home world, modern insulation and old homes can often be a non compatible situation if not done correctly

 

[Cubist]

Sadly this is typical of so many government agencies. Put a pile of cash on the table to support an apparently meaningful and helpful initiative and then put nothing in place to vet and police the activities of the so called 'legitimate' providers. My guess is that such people would only be turned down if they showed up wearing masks and carrying swag bags.

 

[LadyArowana]

Sadly all good examples of why, in any given situation, the last thing you want to hear is “I’m from the government and I’m here to help”.

These sort of projects are best undertaken by people that are passionate about old buildings and have extremely deep pockets.

 

[paulc]

Sadly all good examples of why, in any given situation, the last thing you want to hear is “I’m from the government and I’m here to help”.

Or companies with "official" sounding names claiming to do free energy surveys as a prelude to a sales pitch for such things as spray foam insulation.
No doubt these outfits will be seizing on that report and twisting it to suit their next sales pitch - I've already been told that the fibreglass loft insulation that was installed under an ECO scheme only has a lifespan of eight to ten years and the Asthma Association has found it to be a health risk (both outright lies).

 

[LadyArowana]

Or companies with "official" sounding names claiming to do free energy surveys as a prelude to a sales pitch for such things as spray foam insulation.
No doubt these outfits will be seizing on that report and twisting it to suit their next sales pitch - I've already been told that the fibreglass loft insulation that was installed under an ECO scheme only has a lifespan of eight to ten years and the Asthma Association has found it to be a health risk (both outright lies).

Anything can be a health risk so I suppose they aren’t exactly wrong … https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/bradford-man-killed-by-clothes-horse-1922059