English Heritage (EH), accused by SAVE of ‘failing in its duty’ by campaign group SAVE Britain’s Heritage after it came out in support of the latest redevelopment plans for the historic Smithfield Market in the City of London, has issued a statement in response.
SAVE said:
In a shocking volte face, English Heritage has written a letter to the City of London in support of a scheme to replace Smithfield General Market with an office development.
These splendid market halls built in the second half of the 19th century by City Surveyor Sir Horace Jones are a remarkable engineering achievement as well as being major architectural landmarks. The buildings are not listed but are part of the Smithfield conservation area and in SAVE’S view are the finest parade of market buildings in Europe.
English Heritage responded:
English Heritage recognises the concerns raised by SAVE. However, it should be remembered that EH and SAVE were opposing a very different scheme at the 2008 Public Inquiry. That scheme proposed the total demolition of the General Market Building and the interior of the Annex Market and replacement with a new building that was entirely out of character with the area. It was a substantially larger scheme than the current one and would have resulted in a much more substantial loss of historic buildings at this site.
For the English Heritage statement see: LINK
For the SAVE case see: LINK
Search Planning Portal: LINK
