26 June 2006
Tessa Jowell condemns Cirencester gem.
Cotswolds MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has expressed dismay that Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, has refused his plea to save a regency hotel, in the heart of Cirencester from demolition.
The response Mr Clifton-Brown received from English Heritage; who advise Mrs Jowell on architectural matters, state that the Culture Secretary, has decided not to recommend the Arkenside Hotel, 44-46 Lewis Lane to the listed status list. The letter comes in response to Mr Clifton-Brown’s initial letter of 27 March 2006.
English Heritage wrote:
“The architectural interest has been compromised by very substantial extensions”. English Heritage did appear to take on board that the building was a unusual example of the Regency period in Cirencester, but then dismissed it; “they are mid nineteenth century classical buildings in a town which is characterised by Cotswold vernacular buildings of the eighteenth century and earlier…this makes them of clear local interest. However they are not of sufficient architectural or historic interest, to merit listing.”
Reacting, Mr Clifton-Brown said:
“I dispute the claim made by English Heritage that these buildings are of insufficient interest. As my original letter stated, these buildings are unusual examples of a Regency building, and I still feel very strongly that there is case to made for its’ preservation, and it receiving Listed Status by English Heritage. I also feel that the views of local residents and the strong local opposition to the demolition have been ignored. Once a building like this is demolished, part of the town’s history disappears; which can never be replaced. I will be writing to urge Mrs Jowell to grant a review of this decision, and would urge those who want to preserve the streetscapes of our Cotswolds towns to write to the Department of Culture, urging a review.”
The address to send protests is:
Rt. Hon Tessa Jowell MP
Secretary of State
Department of Culture, Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
LONDON, SW1Y 5DH
Cotswolds MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has expressed dismay that Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, has refused his plea to save a regency hotel, in the heart of Cirencester from demolition.
The response Mr Clifton-Brown received from English Heritage; who advise Mrs Jowell on architectural matters, state that the Culture Secretary, has decided not to recommend the Arkenside Hotel, 44-46 Lewis Lane to the listed status list. The letter comes in response to Mr Clifton-Brown’s initial letter of 27 March 2006.
English Heritage wrote:
“The architectural interest has been compromised by very substantial extensions”. English Heritage did appear to take on board that the building was a unusual example of the Regency period in Cirencester, but then dismissed it; “they are mid nineteenth century classical buildings in a town which is characterised by Cotswold vernacular buildings of the eighteenth century and earlier…this makes them of clear local interest. However they are not of sufficient architectural or historic interest, to merit listing.”
Reacting, Mr Clifton-Brown said:
“I dispute the claim made by English Heritage that these buildings are of insufficient interest. As my original letter stated, these buildings are unusual examples of a Regency building, and I still feel very strongly that there is case to made for its’ preservation, and it receiving Listed Status by English Heritage. I also feel that the views of local residents and the strong local opposition to the demolition have been ignored. Once a building like this is demolished, part of the town’s history disappears; which can never be replaced. I will be writing to urge Mrs Jowell to grant a review of this decision, and would urge those who want to preserve the streetscapes of our Cotswolds towns to write to the Department of Culture, urging a review.”
The address to send protests is:
Rt. Hon Tessa Jowell MP
Secretary of State
Department of Culture, Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
LONDON, SW1Y 5DH
