FredDibnah.co.uk

The man behind plans to convert the home of late Bolton steeplejack Fred Dibnah into a heritage centre has had his dream put on hold by planning chiefs.

But Leon Powsney, who bought the house in Radcliffe Road earlier this year, vowed to continue the fight after councilors postponed making a decision on his plans while a number of issues are resolved.

Neighbors had objected on the grounds that if opened as a heritage centre for tours, accommodating up to 30 people twice a day, four times a week, the increased traffic would be dangerous.

The plans split the opinions of Bolton Council’s planning committee although they did receive the support of the council’s tourism chiefs.

Cllr Laurie Williamson pushed for the plans to be approved while committee vice-chairman Cllr Mary Woodward urged members to reject them because of the concerns of the residents.

Cllr John Walsh said: “I think there are a lot of issues that need to be sorted with the applicant and I would say the best thing would be to defer the plans.”

His motion was supported by the committee and discussions will now take place between Mr Powsney and the council’s planning officers.

After the meeting, Mr Powsney said: “I may have lost one battle, but I am still committed to this project.”

Douglas Summers, who lives across from the site and spoke at the meeting, said the decision was “sensible”.

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Bid to make Fred Dibnah’s home a museum hits the buffers

PLANS to convert the former home of celebrity steeplejack and steam enthusiast Fred Dibnah into a heritage centre have hit the buffers.

Bolton council has deferred the proposals by new owners Leon and Jan Powsney, who bought the property after it failed to sell at auction.

The couple want to preserve the 155-year-old building and its sprawling gardens in Fred’s memory by hosting guided tours. Fred’s steam houses, oil-stained machines and his 70ft-deep working mineshaft would have been star attractions.

But planning committee councillors said the proposals failed to adequately address parking provisions.

Tory councillor Andy Morgan said: “We encourage the applicant to come back because we all want to see this proposal.”

The council said the Grade II-listed house, on Radcliffe Road, Bolton, was ‘an essential education resource for future generations’.

Supporters said its restoration would ‘preserve Bolton’s heritage’, but neighbours have voiced concerns.

Fred rose to fame locally by demolishing chimneys but quickly became a national celebrity and was awarded an MBE for services to heritage and broadcasting after a series of successful television shows dedicated to his love of the golden age of steam. He died from cancer aged 66 in 2004.

The centre would open four days a week including Saturdays with two sessions of 30 visitors a day between 10am and 6pm.

Leon said after the meeting: “We will look again at the situation and come back to the committee. We are still committed to the plan.”

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