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Guildhall ‘gutting’ to go ahead as final bid fails
A FINAL bid to save the historic interior of Middlesex Guildhall failed this week in the Court of Appeal.
The Crown Court, in Parliament Square, which closes today (Friday) after almost 100 years, will reopen in 2009 as the country’s first Supreme Court.
But a decision to “gut” the interior, approved by Westminster Council in September, was taken to judicial review by charity SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
They said the decision was in direct conflict with government policy setting a “dangerous precedent” for historic public buildings. But a judge rejected the challenge the project was lawful on grounds of “national importance”.
SAVE president Marcus Binney said: “No private owner of a Grade II listed building would be allowed to make such damaging alterations if the building was in good repair and active, beneficial use.
“The Middlesex Guildhall has been a very busy criminal court since extensive restoration and refurbishment in 1989.”
He added “The Lord Chancellor has set the worst possible example to owners of listed buildings.
“There is a real danger that other government departments will seek to alter or demolish major listed buildings as an easy option, claiming their proposals are of national importance and overriding the usual presumption in favour of the preservation of listed buildings.”
English Heritage in 2004 said the Guildhall was “unsurpassed by any other courtroom of the period in terms of the quality and completeness of their fittings” but has since backed the Department of Constitutional Affairs proposals to gut the building. |
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