Defence Online

Westminster council has given the go-ahead for Aukett Swanke’s controversial designs to turn the last surviving historic timber yard in England and Wales into shops for land owner and developer GrosvenorA campaign was launched to save the timber yard gaining over 1,200 signatures and was backed by the chairman of Save Britain’s Heritage, Marcus Binney who described the Grosvenor’s original plans as “like a scowl in the midst of a row of smiling faces”The plans received more than 300 objections principally over the loss of the timber yard which the objectors considered an important local service contributing to the historic and mixed use character of the area, as well as objections to the loss of the retail uses which occupy the smaller retail units.The approved proposals will see the 175-year old Newson Timber Yards, which is currently occupied by builders merchant Travis Perkins, surrounding retail units and five residential dwellings converted into four retail units and seven residential dwellings.The yard, rejected for listing, was built in the 1840s by John Newson along with some of the surrounding buildings, many of which are listed.However, a heritage assessment was conducted by historic building consultant Jeffery W George & Associates on behalf of Travis Perkins said the yard was worth saving.The council also rejected a lawful development certificate bid from Travis Perkins to have the timber yard recognised as sui generis rather than a retail unit.