Brandon (Suffolk)

Been derelict for many a year..

http://www.brandonsuffolk.com/news.php?d=2019-01-09

Greater Anglia have drawn up proposals, including artists impressions, to redevelop Brandon station under permitted development to increase parking and improve the overall area.

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I hope the existing building can be restored and incorporated into any refurbishment of the station. The flint facing of the building feels quite fitting for the area - lots of old Norfolk buildings are like this. You can even go down an ancient flint mine down the road at Grimes Graves.

Quite a few of the ones around there are abandoned aren't they? Just boarded over with murals on the boards.

ocelocelot said:

I hope the existing building can be restored and incorporated into any refurbishment of the station. The flint facing of the building feels quite fitting for the area - lots of old Norfolk buildings are like this.

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Unfortunately not, although some of the flint fascia will be recycled within the new proposals, as i understand it.

[email protected]
Writes:
We have identified the station car park needs improved capacity and would further compliment the introduction of the new trains as well as an increase in train travel.

To facilitate and enable you to consult locally I have attached our proposal ,artists impressions of how the station would look and the station lease area.

The proposal is to redevelop the car park increasing its current capacity to 90 spaces of which 3 spaces would be Blue Badge Bays.
The car park would be developed to ‘Park Mark’ standards which includes improved lighting ,CCTV and modern size bays.
The development would maximise the use of Greater Anglia’s lease area using the unused land at the Cambridge end of the station.
GA propose to demolish the existing building on the Norwich bound platform- this enables extra spaces as well as new modern waiting shelters.
The flint from the building would be incorporated into the station wall as per attached images.
The removal of this building GA believe would improve the visual image of the station and facilitate greater security in a more open environment.
The car parking would be monitored by our contractors NCP.
Parking would therefore be charged
Blue Badge Bays would be free.

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It would be unfortunate to loose the building in all honestly, it could be a nice looking building if an occupier could be found.

Could the same fate follow for Attleborough?

TheEdge said:

It would be unfortunate to loose the building in all honestly, it could be a nice looking building if an occupier could be found.

Could the same fate follow for Attleborough?

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Attleborough has just had a lot of money spent on it. Looking rather dapper now.

Is there still residential flats/apartments at ATL?

scott118 said:

Is there still residential flats/apartments at ATL?

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Not sure. Wasn't it a vets once?

Perhaps so. I was under the impression there was residential lettings within. However i read that GA are renovating inside and out, with the help of a heritage grant, and are actively looking at business leasing opportunities once complete.

FOBS tried to make use of the building a few years back, when Abellio originally took over the franchise, however the lease required, sadly, was way beyond the realms of a volunteer group, who took pride in how the station was viewed, by visitors and the local community.

Once the new runway has been completed, and the daily aggregate train potentially ceases, wouldn't that be a better proposal for the required space? New trains, won't encourage new customers. Especially, now that they are planning to charge an additional parking fee..

scott118 said:

Perhaps so. I was under the impression there was residential lettings within. However i read that GA are renovating inside and out, with the help of a heritage grant, and are actively looking at business leasing opportunities once complete.

FOBS tried to make use of the building a few years back, when Abellio originally took over the franchise, however the lease required, sadly, was way beyond the realms of a volunteer group, who took pride in how the station was viewed, by visitors and the local community.

Once the new runway has been completed, and the daily aggregate train potentially ceases, wouldn't that be a better proposal for the required space? New trains, won't encourage new customers. Especially, now that they are planning to charge an additional parking fee..

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Which runway is this please?

Spamcan81 - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/brandon-freight-terminal-in-use.152334/

https://www.cemex.co.uk/-/new-aggregates-rail-service-at-brandon-cambridgeshire

CEMEX UK ran the first trial train to a new site at Brandon in Cambridgeshire, which is a customer site but we will have access to the material to supply major works in the area over the next two years.

The freight sidings are being brought back into active use having lain dormant for some time and is part of a wider UK Strategy by Network Rail to increase freight traffic. In a recent survey almost two thirds (61%) of people wanted to see more freight transported by rail.

It is also another key site in our strategy to grow the Aggregates Business and in particular the rail part of our Supply Chain. Watch this space for more new sites to come as we develop this method of transportation that delivers for communities, shareholders and customers.

Chris Leese congratulated the team on this great new “pop-up” railhead, and Mark Grimshaw-Smith thanked Graham Laight and everyone involved for the determined team effort.

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scott118 said:

Spamcan81 - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/brandon-freight-terminal-in-use.152334/

https://www.cemex.co.uk/-/new-aggregates-rail-service-at-brandon-cambridgeshire

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Thanks for this. I did wonder if it was for all the work at Marham.

dk1 said:

Not sure. Wasn't it a vets once?

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Definately been a vets until recently and a long time ago there was a TV repair business. I can also remember "Mr Eurovision Song Contest" selling tickets beneath the signal box.

As the title says, not sure how GA are allowed to demolish property they lease

https://www.thetfordandbrandontimes...aign-to-save-brandon-signalling-box-1-6193035

[email protected]
@MarcBettsEDP

PUBLISHED: 10:37 01 August 2019 | UPDATED: 10:19 02 August 2019

South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss, inset, has joined the fight to save a former station masters house on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

The Brandon signal box is set to be demolished by Network Rail.

Greater Anglia announced its plans to knock down the Brandon building earlier this year with the demolition expected to take place before the Autumn.

It has stood in the town centre for more than 100 years and appeared in Dad's Army, which was filmed in the area.

Residents have been challenging Greater Anglia to stop the demolition due to the heritage of the building and the fact its built out of flint stones which had been mined in Brandon since the medieval period.

The demolition is part of an expansion plan for the station which will see the car park increase to 95 spaces with ticket machines and five disabled access bays.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: "Work is due to start this autumn and be completed by the end of the year.

"We are investing more than £1m in this project and once the work has been completed, car parking charges will be introduced."

Town councillor Victor Lukaniuk has welcomed the work.

He said: "It is a private enterprise that needs to generate income but what is generated will be invested back into the railway.

"Brandon is expanding and the train station will become an important asset to commuters."

Campaigners are appealing to train operators Greater Anglia who have recently invested £196,000 from a Railway Heritage Trust grant into Thetford train station and Attleborough train station.

In letter to the Ms Truss, Stuart Wright said: "If there is some way that this building can be saved thereby preserving an important part of the area's heritage for future generations.

"Other places seem to be able to preserve their historical sense of place whereas poor old Breckland seems to lose out in this respect.

"Thetford station recently received a Railway Heritage grant and it would seem Brandon ought to have the same."

A spokesman for Ms Truss said: "Elizabeth has raised your concerns directly with the chief executive of Greater Anglia and asked that action to demolish the building is put on hold.

"Elizabeth is keen to ensure local community input is fully considerd"

What is the state of the building? Is it safe/structurally sound? Is there any potential for future use?

The thread title states 'station', the article states 'signal box'. Whilst it may be a shame to see the loss of any given structure, the signal box is not the station.

Edit: (Actually, the article also mentions 'former station masters house' so it seems rather confused)

pdeaves said:

The thread title states 'station', the article states 'signal box'. Whilst it may be a shame to see the loss of any given structure, the signal box is not the station.

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“Former station master’s house” is mentioned initially, then signal box “by Network Rail”. But not the station? Is the station and station master’s house the same set of buildings?

As its being reported locally its the buildings on the down platform. Not sure about the box.

Some are also (incorrectly) reporting Attleborough is also being demolished. They are only seeking to demolish two very derelict old huts (I think it's a small goods office and a weighbridge hut)

swt_passenger said:

“Former station master’s house” is mentioned initially, then signal box “by Network Rail”. But not the station? Is the station and station master’s house the same set of buildings?

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This is the view of the station buildings from the car-park side - https://www.google.com/maps/@52.454...4!1s2CJaXCY8dHqoS1yNqkZ36A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I suspect the “Former station master’s house” might be the far left-hand part of the buildings.

There is a photo of the platform side of the buildings in the article linked in the first post.

The station is actually on the the northern edge of the town (it's not in the town centre, which is about half a mile south).

Frankly in their current boarded-up state the buildings are not much more than an eyesore, so I'm not surprised someone is finally going to put them out of their misery.

ac6000cw said:

This is the view of the station buildings from the car-park side - https://www.google.com/maps/@52.454...4!1s2CJaXCY8dHqoS1yNqkZ36A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I suspect the “Former station master’s house” might be the far left-hand part of the buildings.

There is a photo of the platform side of the buildings in the article linked in the first post.

The station is actually on the the northern edge of the town (it's not in the town centre, which is about half a mile south).

Frankly in their current boarded-up state the buildings are not much more than an eyesore, so I'm not surprised someone is finally going to put them out of their misery.

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They’re highly unlikely to be unique examples of that construction, I doubt they’ll be missed. People seem to object to everything, if they’re really important they’d have been protected by now...

Unless it's a listed building there's not a lot people can do. There was a huge outcry when they announced the demolition of Skegness with petitions and protests of all sorts but it went ahead anyway

Network rail would sooner demolish a building than spend money on it's upkeep unless it is a viable source of rent income

Edders23 said:

Unless it's a listed building there's not a lot people can do. There was a huge outcry when they announced the demolition of Skegness with petitions and protests of all sorts but it went ahead anyway

Network rail would sooner demolish a building than spend money on it's upkeep unless it is a viable source of rent income

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Firends of Brandon Station was gonna do something with them but they found it impossible working with GA and have since dissolved

The buildings in question have been in that state for at least 30 years if not more, god knows what they are like inside

Since they have been forced to rent new trains they are grabbing money everywhere, its all about stupid fare rises and car parking spaces,

Attleborough is being demolished as well so I have heard

pdeaves said:

Edit: (Actually, the article also mentions 'former station masters house' so it seems rather confused)

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Welcome to the EDP. Asking questions to clarify matters before going to print is not a thought any of the staff have ever had!

The station is in Norfolk, the main Brandon settlement is in Suffolk. And therefore different District Councils as well.
This piece from brandonsuffolk.com was published earlier this year and indicates that permitted development rights are being used for the changes.
http://brandonsuffolk.com/news.php?d=2019-01-09

Proposals drawn up for Brandon station
Published: Wednesday 9th January 2019 at 20:00

Greater Anglia have drawn up proposals, including artists impressions, to redevelop Brandon station under permitted development to increase parking and improve the overall area.

The train operator, which leases Brandon station from Network Rail, say they have identified that the station car park needs improved capacity and this work would further compliment the introduction of new trains as well as an increase in train travel.

The proposal is to redevelop the car park and increase its current capacity to 90 spaces, 3 of which would be blue badge bays.

Brandon station car park would be developed to 'Park Mark' standards which includes improved lighting,CCTV and modern size bays.

The development would maximise the use of Greater Anglia's lease area using the unused land at the Cambridge end of the station, along with demolishing the existing station building on the Norwich bound platform, enabling extra spaces as well as new modern waiting shelters.

A charge for parking at the station would be introduced following the development and would be managed by NCP.

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My main comment concerns the last sentence, free parking areas of the Town may come under more pressure as a result of new charges (parking at the station is currently free)!

Edders23 said:

Network rail would sooner demolish a building than spend money on it's upkeep unless it is a viable source of rent income

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What else do you suggest they do?

NR are a state-supported business under major cost pressures (just like BR was), not a heritage charity.

As CockneySparrow said, the buildings have been empty (and available to rent) for many years, but no-one seems interested in renting them (and hence paying for their upkeep). In the state they are in at present, they are not exactly a welcoming environment for passengers.

ac6000cw said:

What else do you suggest they do?

NR are a state-supported business under major cost pressures (just like BR was), not a heritage charity.

As CockneySparrow said, the buildings have been empty (and available to rent) for many years, but no-one seems interested in renting them (and hence paying for their upkeep). In the state they are in at present, they are not exactly a welcoming environment for passengers.

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Yes, but it is very attractive building of traditional local construction that would be a huge asset if it were restored. Isn't money available from various agencies and organisations for renovating historic buildings?.

Only can only shudder at the likely replacement bus-shelter station

Seems a pity to destroy buildings when there’s a housing shortage, but maybe they are beyond habitation.

CockneySparrow said:

Attleborough is being demolished as well so I have heard

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As I've already posted this isn't the case. The intention at Attleborough is to demolish two outbuildings and I think a tree with an order on it. The actual station buildings are not included

TheEdge said:

As I've already posted this isn't the case. The intention at Attleborough is to demolish two outbuildings and I think a tree with an order on it. The actual station buildings are not included

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Perhaps not for now

ac6000cw said:

What else do you suggest they do?

NR are a state-supported business under major cost pressures (just like BR was), not a heritage charity.

As CockneySparrow said, the buildings have been empty (and available to rent) for many years, but no-one seems interested in renting them (and hence paying for their upkeep). In the state they are in at present, they are not exactly a welcoming environment for passengers.

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Friends of Brandon Station wanted to make use of them again but found working with GA difficult, I think the gist of the problem is they wanted to Friends of Brandon to renovate them at their time and cost once the job was complete they were gonna knock the volunteers out