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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 9 November 2007

Smithfield Market butchers make their point

Heritage fights Smithfield butchers’ block

THE start of a public inquiry into controversial plans to develop Smithfield Market developed into a battle this week.
The market’s butchers are at loggerheads with English Heritage over a plan to demolish the derelict General Market building, much loved by conservationists.
English Heritage claim that demolishing the building would seriously damage a conservation area and wants it repaired and reused.
The butchers are backing the development of an office block, claiming it will uplift the area and protect their future.
English Heritage has racked up a list of high-profile supporters, including Prince Charles, architect Sir Terry Farrell, historian Dan Cruickshank and comedian Griff-Rhys Jones.
Robert McCracken QC, representing English Heritage told inspector Kenneth Barton at the inquiry in Southwark on Monday that the building had been deliberately neglected by the City of London “to get around planning regulations”.
But Neil Cameron, for the City argued: “Market use ceased in 1999. Real efforts have been made to find viable new uses and those efforts have failed.”
Mr Cruickshank said he was supporting the campaign to save the building.
He added: “In some short-term purely financial way I suppose they [butchers] benefit from it. It’s not the welfare and posterity people are motivated by but by short-term financial solutions.
“The building itself is absolutely fantastic. It is of extraordinary architectural value. It seems a little insane to destroy an asset and replace it with something bland.
“I remain optimistic that good and truth will prevail in the future.”
But Greg Lawrence, chairman of the Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association, who represents 2,000 traders, described the building as a derelict eyesore.
He added that he couldn’t understand why EH were opposing an “excellent development” that will protect the meat market.
Mr Lawrence claims EH have launched the campaign because they have a vision for the area that doesn’t include a meat market.
For the developers Michael Capocci, chief executive of Thornfield Properties said: “We think what we’re doing is good for the area and the market. Smithfield is a meat market first and foremost.
“We’re enhancing it by bringing back a redundant site into use and opening up the streets around it.
“The [butchers] don’t want Smithfield to become another Covent Garden because that will interfere with their trade.
“We think we’re creating a fabulous building. It’s unusual, different, and in the spirit of other buildings in the borough.”

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