Bulldozer in place to level a Grade 2 listed building in Timperley

Watling Gate in Newton Park in Timperley has had a mixed existence having been built in 1904 by Lt. Col Charles Edward Newton.

The Grade 2 listed building was given to the public after his death, in 1937 the council had full control and by 1939 it became an art gallery and museum, once that was ended it became a Children’s Nursery which lasted 60 years! sadly that ended in 2003 and it’s been left to rot.

We have some information that the council did try to do something with it and apparently had some interest however the building was left for too long and started to need work which would have cost a fortune to fix which would have put off anyone!

As we go to publish the building is still just about standing, we noted some of the front roof had almost caved in despite scaffolding keeping the building upright, bulldozing equipment and 3 security cameras were on site.

We have no ideas of what will be built in its place but it cannot be a block of flats or a housing development as the park has protected status, although there is a big section of land that is opposite a children’s school and could be at risk, if that is the case the council could use that land and link it with land where the Grade 2 listed building once stood!