Calls For Cadw To Make Waterworld A Listed Building

Cadw have said that several members of the public have been in touch with them asking if the Waterworld building could be listed.

Due to council cut backs there is a proposal to close and demolish Waterworld in the town centre. The building is loved (and hated) by many, and some have written to the Welsh Government’s historic environment service asking them to protect the building via ‘listing’.

If a building is listed then it is possible that it becomes protected against demolition or the like. Formally any works which will ‘change its character’ will require Listed Building Consent, which as it is council owned would need to come from the Planning Division of the Welsh Government.

Cadw are telling those who write in “The question of listing this building has been raised with us by several members for the public concerned about its future of the and we are currently considering our response.”

“Your views will be added to those who have already asked us to consider Wrexham Waterworld for listing.”

Another who has written to Cadw has shared their submission with us, which in part states their reasoning for asking for listed status:

“The building should be listed due to architectural interest it is a dramatic piece of concrete design and a significant building in the area that has been at a landmark since its construction over 40 years ago. Its technical innovation shows an example of a hyperbolic paraboloid roof, an unusual and dramatic roof solution which was then being experimented with by a number of architects and engineers all over the world.”

A third example has been shown to us that states:

“There is some support here in Wrexham for this iconic building to receive protection. The concrete hyperbolic paraboloid roof was constructed in the 1960’s and was at the time one of the largest spans of its kind.”

“Its shape forms one of Wrexham’s key architectural features along with the parish chuch. It fits well within its environment and is structurally sound. I do hope that Cadw considers the building for protection”

This does not appear to be a co-ordinated campaign at the moment, with the submissions being made by a collection of seemingly unconnected individuals.

We have been unable to get direct comment from Cadw.

For those wishing to contact Cadw they have a ‘contact page‘ viewable here, which includes a web form for submissions.

This issue has been raised and discussion on this Wrexham.com Forum Thread. You can read and join in here.