LIZ LYNNE JOINS THE FIGHT TO OBTAIN LISTED STATUS FOR VICTORIA HOSPITAL

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Apr 2007

Liz Lynne Liberal Democrat MEP, dropped in to Lichfield last Friday to see for herself the redundant Victoria hospital buildings and to meet local campaigners who wish to preserve the front facade of the building.

Liz believes it would be a great shame if the Victoria were to be demolished

Speaking in Lichfield Liz said:

"Having acquainted myself with all the facts of this case, I agree with local Lib Dem Leomansley Ward councillors that an injustice has been done in the turning down of their application for listed status. English Heritage does not appear to have taken into account the place of this hospital building in the local street scene."

" It is surrounded by houses built at the same time, in the early 1930's, on both sides of the wide boulevard. It would indeed be tragic if the Victoria were demolished and modern houses built. It would completely ruin the present street scene. I will be writing to the Secretary of Media, Culture and Sport to ask for this case to be reviewed and listed status to be granted"

Time is of the essence, as information has been gleaned that a developer has bought the site and may well evoke a two-year-old outline planning permission, which did grant permission to demolish the whole Victoria hospital. It has always been the hope that planning officers could persuade a sympathetic developer would carry out a flat conversion scheme on the main hospital block.