Bid to save historic site

A letter writing campaign kicked off today to save an historic building from the bulldozers. Red House at Redhouse Park in Great Barr looks set to be sold off.

Sandwell Council says it cannot afford the estimated £1 million to bring it back into use by the authority and all the repairs.

But the proposals have angered the Friends of Redhouse Park, who say the building should be kept as it is. The group has now organised a major letter writing campaign. It will see hundreds of letters written to council leaders and civic officials.

Sarah Carter, chairman of the group, said: "We have to make sure that the people making decisions over this are aware of our feelings.

"We are not just going to sit here and let the Red House go.

"We are asking people to write these letters to highlight concerns. We have to let them know that we are not just going to sit here and watch the house go.

"We want hundreds of letters sent into the council - to whoever is at the top and making these decisions."

A study was launched a year and a half ago to decide whether the house had a viable future or was seen as surplus to requirements.

Concern were raised at the time that the study might lead to the demolition of the grade II listed complex, but officials always insisted that no decision had been made.

The house dates back to 1845 and current tenants British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) are planning to quit the building after years of attacks from vandals.

Initial figures show it could cost the council as much as £1million for it to take over the building for office use. Hundreds of people flocked to the park on Sunday armed with placards and banners to protest at the plans. Friends of Redhouse Park campaign group has been gathering a petition over the past few months containing over 3,000 names, demanding the house is restored.

The group meets at Sandwell Training Centre, Hill Lane, Great Barr, tonight, from 6.45pm. For more information call Mrs Carter on 0121 357 2482.

By Chris Howes