DEMOLITION work close to the historic Cabinet Works site will begin tomorrow, Saturday, ahead of an 'imminent' planning application for the site.

Concerns remain over the future of the building and Garnett's water tower but Warrington Civic Society is vowing to continue monitoring the situation closely.

Following a meeting between the council and PTS Property Services, which owns the sites, it has been agreed work at the location will begin tomorrow but fears over demolition of the derelict Cabinet Works structure and tower, on Barbauld Street, have been calmed.

A council spokesman said: "Following a meeting with the owners PTS, work will begin on Saturday under section 78 of the Building Act 1984: dangerous building – emergency measures, to make safe part of the chimney and removal of a collapsing gable end wall.

"This will be done using a high-access platform, on Barbauld Street, and will not require demolition of any part of the site.

Warrington Guardian:

"We are working closely with all necessary parties, including the owners and Historic England, to look at what remediation is required to make safe the most imminently dangerous areas.

"Full demolition is not planned and we will be working very closely with the agent appointed to carry out the works on behalf of the owners of the building to ensure that any demolition is within strict guidelines."

It has also been confirmed that a planning application is expected to be lodged in the near future.

"The owners have also issued party wall notices under the Party Wall etc Act 1996 to the relevant neighbours and we expect them to submit a planning application, and section 80 notice imminently for their plans for the site, which the council will assess following the proper and usual process," added the spokesman.

Warrington Guardian:

Civic Society chairman John Shipley, who remains concerned over future demolition, has been speaking to council officers this week.

He said: "Not having to do any work to the school on Cairo Street does sound good – that is a positive.

"Warrington Civic Society believes there is now an extremely urgent need for the council to take robust action to preserve and repair the water tower, Garnett Works, ex-council office and schools by taking appropriate action under the Building Act 1984 and the appropriate planning and conservation legislation.

Warrington Guardian:

"Warrington Civic Society is calling upon the council leadership to commit themselves to saving and preserving as much as possible of the historic buildings on the Cabinet Works site.

"A clear corporate approach is needed and we advocate that this should be conservation led.

"This would best allow the council to fulfil its legal duty under section 72 of the Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 which requires 'that special attention shall be paid in the exercise of planning functions to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a Conservation Area'.

"In the absence of this, people will understandably base their expectations on past experience which is largely negative.

Warrington Guardian:

"These buildings, 'identified as being among the most important' in the council's own conservation area appraisal, have after all been allowed to decay for the past 13 years.

"We are not asking for a new masterplan or Warrington & Co strategy immediately, simply an overall statement of intent."

Warrington Guardian:

PTS have been unavailable for comment.

Plans to pull down the site and turn it into a car park in 2011 caused uproar.

And last month Peter Astley, the borough's assistant director for regulation and protection, hinted a building adding 'civic value' could be developed.

The Cabinet Works building was founded in 1824, with the tower constructed in 1906.