Ancient wall saved (From Bucks Free Press)

Ancient wall saved

9:49am Friday 2nd April 2004 in News By staff reporter

RESIDENTS and members of a conservation society were cheering after a proposal to demolish an ancient wall was refused.

More than 30 residents joined forces with the Marlow Society to object to plans to demolish the 200-year-old Grade II listed wall in Oxford Road, Marlow, and rebuild it further back and to build a three-bedroom house. Councillors refused the plan at a Wycombe District Council development control committee meeting on Wednesday delighting campaigners.

Resident Phil Richards told the Free Press: "I'm pleased that the council felt the same way as the residents and Marlow Society that the wall is worth preserving. It's great."

Earlier he said the application to replace the wall with a pavement and rebuild it two metres back from the road would remove the current traffic calming road side boundary and dangerously expose houses whose front doors open directly onto the road.

During the meeting Cllr Doug Anson said: "Does this development do anything for the conservation area unfortunately no.

"It does nothing to enhance the area and it certainly shouldn't have planning permission. If you have got to put anything there it should be in keeping with the area."

Bob Savidge, of the Marlow Society, also said: "We strongly object to this demolition and realignment."