Kung Fu Panda to be removed in miners' hall revamp

A large ornamental panda is to be removed from the roof of a former miners' institute as part of plans to convert the building into flats.

The panda, modelled on the character Po from the Kung Fu Panda series of films, has been on the building in Moorthorpe, near Wakefield, during its use as a martial arts gym.

The building in Barnsley Road dates back to the 1900s and once attracted high-profile political speakers of the day, including Labour Party leader George Lansbury and supporters of the Suffragette movement.

A report to Wakefield Council said following the closure of local collieries "its importance as a community focal point had diminished".

The building had planning permission for a mix of uses, including a gym, offices, changing rooms, a reception, as well as four one-bedroom flats.

The new scheme allows the building to be converted to create four more apartments, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A heritage statement said it was of "high status" when it was first built but the structure was "failing" and had "lost its original splendour."

It added that the building "clearly served an important role in the day-to-day lives of people from surrounding settlements where collieries provided employment.

"But following the closure of the local collieries, its importance as a community focal point has diminished and its importance to the community has been lost."

The statement said the new plans would "help protect the building's future by providing a use that is sustainable into the future."

Planned work includes repairing the structure and making it waterproof.

The statement said flags and a "large panda" would also be removed and the property would be repainted.

The council's conservation officer said: "We would be pleased to see a sensitive scheme of refurbishment for this fine building, which has social, historic, and aesthetic interest."

The officer said the removal of the current signs and flags on the building was also supported, adding: "These are overly dominant and detract from the architectural quality of the building."

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