Villagers’ defeat over 19th century building demolition

THE HOPES of campaigners trying to save a landmark building in Brough have been dashed after Historic England decided against listing it.

For over two years a group of residents have been campaigning against 54, Elloughton Road, being knocked down for 35 retirement flats.

They ploughed £14,000, backed up with £4,000 of donations from other villagers, into a planning inquiry in May, only to learn in July, that they were unsuccessful.

Their last hope was to try and get the building, which was built in 1867/8 as an elite boarding school for boys, listed.

Despite nearly 1,800 people signing up to support a petition, Historic England, which had previously refused listing bids, decided that while “clearly of local interest” it did not meet their exacting standards. The group, Save 54, said it was very disappointing but “at least they tried”.

Councillors had twice refused plans on heritage grounds to knock down the building, which stands in an acre of its own gardens, on heritage grounds.

Save 54 said the result “would stand testament to inadequate planning laws enabling developers to ride roughshod over a local community”.

Campaigner Eileen Douglas said: “It’s just taken an enormous amount of time and effort. But we had a lot of support and that’s what kept us going.”