Bishop’s ‘dangerous’ residence bulldozed

Nov 27 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

A HOUSE in Hamilton, used as a residence by the Bishop of Motherwell, has been pulled down.

The Diocese of Motherwell say the detached property, near Peacock Cross, had a catalogue of worrying structural problems.

A £650,000 replacement is to be built on the site for the bishop, Right Rev Joseph Devine.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman this week also confirmed that a warrant to demolish the property had been granted in August.

The local authority, added the spokesman, had not yet received a planning application for the new residence on the site.

A Sunday newspaper last weekend quoted an anonymous church member as expressing “shock” at the loss of the “beautiful old house”.

However, a spokesman for the Diocese told the Advertiser that the proposal to demolish the Victorian property and build a replacement had been circulated to parish priests some months ago for consultations.

“We have had no complaints about the proposal but plenty of calls ‘having a go’ at the Sunday paper,” he added.

“The fact is that a professional survey was carried out and it highlighted a number of worrying problems.

“The survey found that there was extensive and serious dampness, structural problems, and problems with the electrics.

“The professional opinion was that demolition was the most cost-effective answer.”

Church bosses say the new residence will have similar accommodation to the one it replaces.

The 71-year-old bishop will have a bedroom, small sitting room and private chapel.

Space will be set aside for a live-in house keeper and there will be public reception rooms where the bishop will meet visitors.

The now-flattened house had been bought for Bishop Devine 15 years ago.

The Diocese spokesman said the bishop, now living elsewhere, had been loath to move.

“He knew the house was damp because you could smell it, but he didn’t know how serious the problem was.,” added the spokesman.

“The bishop is a no-fuss, humble man, the kind of person who would say that there were many people having to live in damp conditions,

“In the end, however, he was persuaded by the strength of argument that the house was in a dangerous condition and that he couldn’t continue to live there.”

Providing planning consent is granted, the new residence should be ready for occupation by next summer or autumn.

Bishop Devine this year celebrated 25 years as Bishop of Motherwell.