Author: simon
Couthy Butts: A Tour Around (video)
Saturday, 5th July, 2008 at 3:04 pm, Isle of Wight
Here’s a bit more background, this time a video, on Couthy Butts and the confusing case where the planning has requested the demolition of the building.
It’s made even more confusion by the fact that they are the only examples of Georgian farm worker’s cottages on the Isle of Wight … or is it explained by the chat we had with Brian Harvey.
Near the start of the video there a couple of bits that are a bit dark and the wind up there caused a few problems with the sound, but we’ve done our best as trying to minimise that.
Is it right that this building, unique as it is, should be demolished?
Tomorrow, we’ll publish the photos that we took, inside and around Couthy Butts.
Architecture, Conservation, Godshill, Planning
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July 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am
WHY do the Council want to demolish this old building? Is it because unauthorised work has been done to it?
I think they can appeal to a much higher authority about this matter than the few that voted and proposed this demolition order.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Good for Ventnor blog for persisting with this weird decision. Over 20 years ago I did 6 years as chair of the former Medina Borough Planning Committee. I know things have changed since then but at that time it was an uphill task to get councillors to see the virtues of preservation, but things changed. I would have thought by now the principle of ‘preserve and restore’ what you can had become orthodox. I know nothing of the members of the current planning group, nor of the officers but regarding the latter I have to say that, whilst common jibes are far from being true in all cases, officers can become as passionate in
opinion as members. I can see no justification for demolition etc and, if the applicants can do so, would think that they should go to appeal. This seems an interesting and harmonious building (not on a public path but I do walk the area and in general know it)and whilst I have seen many old cottages on the Island ruined by brown window frames and fake leaded windows (almost enough to make you wish they HAD been demolished) the intent in this case seems genuine restoration and use. It seems the most capricious decision for years and I wonder either at the insensitivity of the planning members or their inability to present very obvious arguments against the officers and the ‘courage’ to poppse them. Are members just lazy or scared of their officers? I’d like to hear any councillor give a passionate case why demolition shoul take place and tell us all why an IW cottage of this age ruins the landscape in which it has sat for so many years.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Great post, Robin!
Come on Mayor Susan, how about a response? This is starting to look like a public clamour.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
“Is it because unauthorised work has been done to it?”
If that’s the case, then half the development at Arreton Barns should be knocked down, as some of that was built ahead of planning. One advantage of applying for retrospective permission is that you don’t have building inspectors checking up on you while you do the work!
July 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I have e-mailed Cllr Arnold to set up a meeting so we can discuss our grave concerns we have over the planning meeting, we have heard back (which is something in itself), she replied with -
“Before taking the matter further, I should appreciate it if you would indicate to me the nature of your grave concerns regarding the planning meeting held on 24th June.”
I thought it would have beeb pretty obvious in view of the e-mail we sent to all committee members!!
After all the phone calls of further support and a meeting with our agents we have decided to give it another go (I don’t know how much more of this I can take).
I would like to ask you all to write to your local councillor, ask your family and friends to do the same and maybe, just maybe, we will get through to the powers that be and the planners will have seconds thoughts!!!?
I will keep you all informed.
Sabrie
July 16th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I am glad to report that Cllr Arnold has, not only agreed to meet us, but has also suggested that Bill Murphy should get involved too!!
How about that! He may even listen to her and agree to meet, one never now’s.
I’ll keep you informed on how we get on.
I liked the letter from Ann in last weeks CP, I will be putting one in next week, 25th. I hope more do the same.