AN HISTORIC water tower has been put up for sale - just weeks after its big brother in Colchester sold for £330,000.The redundant Wivenhoe Water Tower has been put on the market, three years after planning permission was first sought to convert the Grade Two listed building into apartment blocks.
AN HISTORIC water tower has been put up for sale - just weeks after its big brother in Colchester sold for £330,000.
The redundant Wivenhoe Water Tower has been put on the market, three years after planning permission was first sought to convert the Grade Two listed building into apartment blocks.
The move follows the recent sale of Colchester's “Jumbo” Victorian tower last month to a Suffolk-based property developer.
And Colchester-based estate agent Fenn Wright is hoping to make a similar amount for the smaller tower which has been granted detailed planning permission for conversion into two apartments. The agent boasts the development offers “spectacular” views along the Colne Estuary.
However, the sale of the site may spark concern among local residents, who lodged detailed complaints against the proposed conversion when plans were first put forward in 2003.
Property owner, Jonathan Frank, of Lexden Restorations Ltd, said the decision to sell the water tower was based purely on business priorities.
He said: “We're committed to a large project at the garrison, we've purchased five listed buildings there. We just don't have the time to commit to that property.”
Councillor Julie Young, Wivenhoe's representative on Essex County Council, said: “It's disappointing that the complaints made didn't stop the planning application. We're losing a landmark.”
Other local councillors echoed her comments. Eugene Kraft, Colchester borough councillor for Wivenhoe Cross, added: “Wivenhoe is quite fond of its water tower. It's something of a landmark.”
He added the proposed sale might also create traffic and parking problems for the town.
However, Mr Kraft also stressed that some residents would be happy to see a building project at the disused water tower.
He said: “There are some people in Wivenhoe who will see it as a good thing that the tower is being put to use.”
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