Campaigners criticise plan to demolish part of listed London building to create public courtyard.
Just days after a landmark case that looks set to rewrite planning rules for UK demolition, conservationists have reacted angrily over plans to demolish an auction room to the rear of 20 Hanover Square in the heart of London’s Mayfair.
The Victorian Society said the structure was of “outstanding significance” and urged the council to reject the application. The council said it cannot comment or it may prejudice the hearing.
Heloise Brown, conservation adviser for the Victorian Society, said: “20 Hanover Square is recognised as being of outstanding national significance and the auction room at the rear is an interesting and well-designed piece of architecture that reflects the changing use of the building.
“The developer has an obligation to provide public benefit from this scheme but this must not be fulfilled by destroying part of a Grade II listed building, particularly as there is already a large open space just metres away in Hanover Square.”
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