The site is said to be in a ‘very poor condition’
Henson Villas, Hull(Image: Duncan Young/Grimsby News and Pictures)
Plans to demolish the Henson Villas in Hull’s Pearson Park have been approved. Plans submitted to Hull City Council had said the three buildings, on the south eastern corner of the park, should be taken down “as soon as practicably possible.”
The buildings, which each house eight apartments, now sit vacant with the site’s future having been in doubt for a number of years. The properties were built in the 1950s, following the previous buildings on the site being heavily damaged during the Second World War.
The properties are named after a former Lord Mayor of Hull. Upon completion in the early 50s they were initially offered solely to single women.
The site is within the Avenues and Pearson Park Conservation Area. However, submitted plans say Henson Villas are “detrimental” to the aesthetics of the surrounding area as they “do not attempt to mimic the Victorian style which surrounds and complements the rest of the park.”
In addition to the clashing architectural style of the properties, council documents say the site is “clearly in very poor condition and has been deteriorating for quite some time. Any option to refurbish Henson Villas would therefore entail significant repair works.”
The plans to demolish the buildings do not at this stage include plans to redevelop the site. The site is however, listed on the ‘New house building and redevelopment’ page on Hull City Council‘s website.
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Attempts have been made to protect the villas from future demolition by suggesting they should be added to Hull’s Local Heritage List of historically significant buildings in the city. In 2024, the council’s planning committee chose not to add the villas to the Local Heritage List, seemingly removing any potential obstacle to the buildings’ demolition.
With approval now having been granted, work on the demolition must begin within three years. Fencing will soon be put up around the site.
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