Developers destroy Jacobean ceiling a day before it was to be listed
BUILDERS have destroyed a 400-year-old Jacobean ceiling just one day before inspectors were due to protect it with a heritage listing.
The elaborate 17th century plasterwork was described as one of the best examples in the country and had adorned a building in the west country since the 1620s.
The house, in the Bristol conservation area of Small Street, is being converted into student flats after previously being a hotel and a bar.
Officials at Historic England said they received an urgent listing request last week and arranged to visit on Thursday, but the ceiling had apparently been torn down a day earlier.
The conversation group Save Britain’s Heritage allege the ceiling was “deliberately removed”. Simon Birch, chairman of Bristol Civic Society, said: “Developers have done nothing illegal here. But it is deplorable that such a historic building has had its interior ripped out.” He added: “It’s very sad that the protection wasn’t in place. I find it amazing that develop- ers do this, because you’d think it would enhance the value of the building.”
Mike Fox, from Save Britain’s Heritage, said he was “appalled” and called for “interim protection orders” for buildings under assessment.
He said: “We strongly encourage Bristol city council and Historic England to pursue all available means to have it reconstructed.” The building is in a Conservation area, meaning changes cannot be made to the outside. But unless it is listed, modifications can be made inside without planning approval.
A spokesman for Historic England said: “We received an urgent listing application for 15 Small Street, Bristol, last week. We understand a significant amount of the elaborate Jacobean ceiling was deliberately removed and destroyed before we were able to see inside the building. We are continuing with the listing assessment but are saddened that this important 400-year-old feature has been lost for future generations.”
The house was mentioned in a book about Britain’s historic homes. It described a “ribbed plaster ceiling of geometric design, with pendants, a moulded cornice and decorative frieze, of the early 17th century’’.
The owner of the building has not responded to requests for comment.