A CONTROVERSIAL £25,000 office refurbishment for Wirral council’s chief officers broke planning laws, it has been revealed.
The upgrading of offices for the chief executive Graham Burgess’s and his top team of new “super directors” caused outrage when it was revealed.
Now the council has admitted that “due to an administrative error” it failed to obtain listed building consent before the work was carried out to the Grade II listed Wallasey town hall.
The council has now applied for Listed Building Consent for “demolition of existing timber and brickwork walls” – including work already done.
English Heritage, who advise on changes to historic buildings, say on their website “unauthorised works to a listed building is a criminal offence and individuals can be prosecuted.”
And an English Heritage spokeswoman said: “All local councils that wish to make alterations to their own listed buildings need to apply for listed building consent if those works have an impact on the historical and architectural interest of the property. If an application for listed building consent is required the local council also needs to consult with English Heritage.”
Alec McFadden, spokesman for Wirral Against the Cuts, had already been critical of the office refurbishment at a time when the council is looking at slashing jobs and services.
