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Islington Tribune - by PAUL KEILTHY
Published: 8 August 2008

Artist’s impression of the rejected plans for redeveloping Smithfield market

Heritage groups win campaign to save market from butchers’ block

HERITAGE campaigners yesterday (Thursday) won their epic fight to save Smithfield market from developers’ plans to transform the historic site into “more glass boxes”.
The Victorian buildings of the ancient meat market in Farringdon Street were reprieved when Communities Secretary Hazel Blears vetoed the demolition plans of developers Thornfield Plc, which had been backed by the City of London.
Campaign groups English Heritage and SAVE had spent months in a bitter public inquiry to decide the buildings’ fate, backed by high profile figures including TV expert Professor Dan Cruickshank and leading architect Sir Terry Farrell – who said the planned office blocks would add to the “canyon effect” in Farringdon.
Writer Sir Simon Jenkins described the plans simply as “more glass boxes”.
Greeting the verdict yesterday, Professor Cruickshank said: “This is sensible, admirable, and correct. There can be a use for these buildings that will make them work far more happily and congenially for Londoners.”
Although Ms Blears’ role makes her the ultimate arbiter in planning matters, she followed the guidance of planning inspector Keith Barton, who oversaw a three-month inquiry which grew increasingly strained as both sides trashed their rivals’ figures.
Mr Barton’s advice was that the existing buildings contributed to the “character and appearance” of the area and their demolition would cause harm.
The decision comes as a blow to the butchers of Smithfield, whose association had publicly backed the scheme, the City of London, which stood to profit, and Thornfield Plc, who had spent five years on the plans.
Thornfield issued a statement yesterday, which said: “[We] will now give careful consideration to the government decision and comments contained in the inspector’s report.
“We will then bring forward, within a short period, revised proposals that take account of the Secretary of State’s comments.”

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