A BUILDING of local interest has been temporarily saved from demolition by a quick thinking councillor.

George Derbyshire was visiting a barber in central Watford last week when he saw a demolition contractor's board affixed to the scaffolding surrounding the Barclays Bank Chambers building on the corner of Lower High Street and King Street.

Workmen were already on site preparing to carry out the demolition. Alarmed, Councillor Derbyshire went straight to the town hall to inform Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill.

He said: "I was shocked to see demolition workers on site ready to start knocking down this fine building.

"It is listed as one of local interest in the council's Urban Conservation Strategy. "I immediately rushed up to the town hall to tell the mayor.

"She took the appropriate action immediately to stop what would have been an act of gross vandalism." Mayor Thornhill instructed council officers to issue an emergency order to prevent the building being knocked down on Thursday.

The order will now be referred to central government for confirmation.

Built by Barclays between 1911 and 1912, the building is a true example of late Edwardian architecture.

Central ward Councillor Sheila Smillie is spearheading a campaign to urge the government to protect the structure.

She said: "So much of the Victorian and Edwardian heritage of Watford's High street has already been lost.

"We can't afford to lose any more. "Were it not for Councillor Derbyshire's quick response, we could have lost this important town landmark forever."

Councillor Derbyshire said: "Under policy U15 of the town's planning bible there is a presumption against the demolition of structures that appear on the list of buildings of local interest. "I am a member of the development control committee and I am sure that the demolition of this building has not passed through it.

"I do not know whether permission needs to be granted for this type of work or whether council officers were intending to issue an order to stop this demolition anyway."

Last week councillors approved the demolition of a building of local interest, Watford Central Baths, so that the council can construct a new leisure centre on the site.

A representative of the council said: "Parliament has given the right of permitted development to all non-dwelling properties that aren't listed or in a conservation area.

"The council has the right to withdraw that permission where it feels a demolition has wider significance that needs to be considered.

"This is what the council has done in relation to the Barclays Bank Chambers development. "In the case of the central baths, the demolition of the existing building and the construction of the new leisure centre was dependent on showing that the new building will enhance the area because it is in a conservation area.

"The Government officer for the East of England made this judgement." Councillor Smillie is asking all those who want to help save Barclays Bank Chambers to e-mail her at sheila.smillie@watford.gov.uk