Conservationists cry foul as disputed demolition causes unplanned road closure.
Onlookers watched as rubble poured onto the street during controversial demolition of a building in Ramsgate. This came just days after Thanet council had warned developer Panther AL (VAT) it did not have permission to tear down the derelict building at 80-85 High Street.
The council is now considering legal action after the property was flattened on Wednesday.
Planning officers visited the site on the morning of the demolition to order that no further work was carried out.
After the visit, the building was brought down on the orders of the owners sending a pile of bricks into the High Street and blocking the road.
Workmen claimed that damp weather meant the building was in danger of collapse and demolition work needed to be undertaken immediately.
One eyewitness, who works in a nearby shop, said: “There was no road closure, it just happened.
“I stuck my head out of the door to see what was happening because everything was shaking – then I had people running into the shop for cover.”
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