4 C O N T E X T 1 1 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 ‘Aswe continue to battle the tide of inappropriate UVPC replacement windows that blight historic properties throughout the country – often causing enormous problems for the buildings in the process – it is a delight to see that a traditional, wooden, hand-crafted window can stand the test of time more than a millennium after its construction.’ Matthew Slocombe of SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) puts a spin on the news that repair work at St Andrews Church, Boxford in Berkshire has revealed one of the earliest intact timber windows in the country – a frame complete with a hinged wooden panel dating from the Saxon period.The discovery was made by architect and SPAB member Andrew Plumridge, of Peter Scott and Partners, during the course of repairs to the chancel of the church. St Andrews, Boxford: no need of replacement ‘THIS IS A bid for national recognition and statutory protection for a group of buildings which are intimately associated with the four men who, together, became the greatest cultural phenomenon of the 20th century. ‘In 1973, Liverpool’s celebrated Cavern Club, birthplace of the Beatles, was demolished because of a council compulsory purchase order, to make room for a ventilation shaft that was never built. The destruction of Madryn Street would represent another tragic loss and a further assault on the heart and spirit of the city. ‘It is astonishing and distressing that Liverpool City Council retains such a callous disregard for its cultural heritage, and sad that it should fall to organisations such as SAVE and the Merseyside Civic Society to protect and promote buildings within the city that have such huge historic and socio-economic importance.’ William Palin, secretary of SAVE, calling for the listing of a childhood home of Ringo Starr, threatened with demolition, and other houses associated with the Beatles. ‘We have strict rules on advertising to preventWestminster being overrun with a plethora of adverts and these apply to everyone – including Addison Lee.’ Rosemarie MacQueen, the City of Westminster Council’s strategic director for the built environment, commenting on the council’s decision to go to court over 21 branded cigarette bins located in the Marylebone Conservation Area, which, it claims, require planning permission. ‘So now, more than three years after we started providing these bins at zero cost to businesses in London, somebody atWestminster Council with too much time on their hands has decided to persecute us for helping to reduce the 2,700 tonnes of cigarette butts dropped in London streets each year.’ John Griffin, chairman of the cab company Addison Lee, which has provided 16,000 free bins for smokers outside pubs and restaurants across London. ‘WE SHOULD say that if you live in a house built after 1945 you should be able to do what you want with it. If a neighbour objects to what you propose, the council should appoint a mediator – not a planner. Most estates built since 1945 would be better for a lot of maverick building.’ Lord Deben (John Gummer) speaking at the Planning Summer School inYork (one of whose sponsors was the IHBC). This needs to be done in the face of the challenge from substantial cuts that could significantly weaken local government historic environment services and alter the way in which developmentled archaeology is managed. The group is planning seminars with a wide range of audiences to gather and develop ideas that will refine the goals and help defend PPS 5 principles from being weakened or lost in reform of the planning process. The outputs of the project will draw on good practice case studies, and will include detailed recommendations for improved standards, guidance and training for planners, the archaeological sector and others. Such guidance should cover how to design, manage and implement investigation and understanding of all elements of the historic environment – built, buried and submerged – in a way that realises the public benefits that PPS 5 envisages. [email protected] Fortifications at risk The Fortress Study Group (FSG) is holding a symposium on 8 and 9 March 2011 at the National Army Museum London. Fortifications at Risk will highlight concern at the number of 19th and 20th century fortifications – particularly first and second world war defences – that have become derelict or have been destroyed. Building on the Defence of Britain project, the FSG is focusing on the preservation of these structures and imaginative ways in which they might be re-used. Speakers include Marcus Binney of SAVE, Mike Heyworth of the Council for British Archaeology, andWayne Cocroft and Roger Thomas of English Heritage. Details from www.fsgfort.com An appraisal is to be carried out into options for Mealbank Quarry, northYorkshire.The former 19th century industrial site – abandoned in 1910 – contains the remains of a Hoffmann kiln, associated spoil heaps, and standing remains of lime extraction and production. Capita Symonds is the consultant.
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