Chichester District Council approves destruction of building by leading gothic revival architect to improve conservation area

The National Planning Policy Framework makes a presumption against the loss of non-designated heritage assets.Yet Chichester District Council has approved the destruction of a building of considerable architectural and historic significance by a leading architect of the Gothic Revival despite the appeals of the Victorian Society and other heritage organisations.The Council accepted the owner’s bizarre argument that a replacement house would be less intrusive in the conservation area. Yet Temple Moore’s house existed before the designation of the conservation area and the house is a distinctive landmark at Dell Quay which has been cherished precisely for its distinctive quality and position looking out to sea. The Victorian Society appeals to Apuldram House’s owner to consider selling the house and buying a blank plot instead. A new buyer might step forward who would wish to retain and cherish this distinctive landmark, designed by a leading architect, rather than wastefully razing it to the ground.