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Devastating: South Lodge, where only the rear walls of both this and North Lodge were left intact |
Contractors guilty of bull-dozing history
Prince Charles’ favourite architect fined £25,000
PRINCE Charles’ favourite architect has been fined thousands of pounds after contractors bulldozed two listed buildings in Regent’s Park.
John Quinlan Terry – who has worked on high-profile renovations including the Prime Minster’s home – pleaded guilty in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday
He must pay £25,000 and the contractor Walter Lilly & Co, which wrongly demolished two Grade-II listed buildings, were ordered to pay £20,000.
North and South Lodges stood in the drive of one of seven luxury mansions built in Regent’s Park, and were designed by one of the most important architects in British history, John Nash.
They were torn down without permission.
Only the rear walls of both lodges were left intact.
Mr Quinlan Terry, 70, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Planning Act 1990 after the council took him court.
Councillor Robert Davis said: “For one of the country’s pre-eminent architects to fall foul of the law is disappointing.”
South Lodge and North Lodge, built in 1827 and attributed to John Nash, were left in ruins in early December 2006 after demolition teams moved in, with their roofs, front façades and part of their flank walls pulled down.
The development is part of grand Hanover House, on the Outer Circle of Regent’s Park which is Crown Estate property, although Metdist Ltd is the leaseholder. Neither had any direct involvement in the demolition of the buildings and were not charged with any offence.
John Nash’s buildings were unique, reflected by the fact they are listed as buildings of special architectural or historic interest in their own right, when they could have been left to be protected as outbuildings of the main dwelling Hanover House.
Planning chiefs said they were “liaising closely” with the architect to ensure the buildings are properly restored. |
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