Smithfield inquiry
The latest proposals for the disused west end of Smithfield Market have been turned down by the Government after a planning inquiry - six years after an earlier scheme for the same site was also turned down. The buildings continue to decay - buddleia on site continues to flourish. The market hall at the centre does indeed look as if it could be a good space for a new market, as proposed by the project's opponents, but there is need in this area for office space, not market halls. Of the thousands of people who will be arriving at the new Crossrail station at Farringdon when it opens, some will be looking for scented candles, but I think rather more will be looking for jobs. It's hard to get as worked up about the existing buildings as the main objectors Save did, but they must be feeling pleased with themselves. The self-appointed provos of UK heritage protection, they operate in an system where with more and more of the built environment protected in various way...