Plan to replace iconic cottage (From Evesham Journal)

Plan to replace iconic cottage

9:00am Saturday 15th November 2008

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EVESHAM’S iconic Lock Keeper’s Cottage could soon be torn down and replaced by a much newer version.

The Lower Avon Navigation Trust (LANT) has submitted plans for a replacement lock house and office for navigational purposes on the same site at Mill Bank, in Evesham.

For a while the landmark building that stands on stilts over the River Avon, and is a favourite among boaters, was considered worth saving even after sustaining heavy damage in the floods of 1998 and 2007.

However LANT has said it’s not keen to pour money into a depreciating asset that may be uninsurable and have pushed ahead with plans to have it replaced.

John Taplin, director of engineering at LANT, said: “The house has been written-off by the insurance company and we need a replacement.

“It’s not just the lock keeper’s house but also the toll house between the upper and lower Avon and needs to be in good order.

“The style of the new building would fit in with the area but would need to be raised on stilts just like the current cottage is, but it would need to be higher than the flood levels last year.

“There has been a loss of income over the last couple of years as less people have been using the river because of the bad weather, and we need to raise around £150,000 for the project.

“The current lock keeper Christopher Murfin is behind the plans and would like to see it replaced as soon as possible.”

Plans for the new lock keeper’s cottage can be viewed online at www.wychavon.whub.org.uk. The planning application number is 08/02486.

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