Carlton Hill wall - update

The latest applications BH2012/04086 & 7 for development of the old garage site on the Carlton Hill/Mighell Street corner still calls for the demolition of the old flint wall but this time rebuilding a modern version as shown above in the views below.

Photo-impression looking west down Carlton Hill

Photo-impression looking east up Carlton Hill

The architect appears to have completely missed the point. The point being that the whole rationale for retaining the present wall is based on its age, the evidence of the craftsman's hand, its mass, and the way its profile defies the gradient. The proposal by the applicant to replace it with a modern version of precast blocks into which flints have been haphazardly  embedded, a wall with brick quoins  which tamely follows the gradient of the hill and of a style  which can be seen on any suburban street, is quite pointless.

The old wall.

The Carlton Hill CA Character Statement recognises the visual and historic importance of the original wall to the streetscape. The statement describes the wall as imposing, and properly calls for its retention and restoration as part of any development of the site behind. Rebuilding in a modern style with modern techniques hardly fits this description.

See also:-

Carlton Hill - save the flint wall

Carlton Hill's flint walls