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Join the Human Chain this weekend to circle historic Norton Folgate buildings threatened with demolition

East London Is Under Threat And Needs Your Help

London's historic Norton Folgate near Spitalfields is being threatened with demolition by British Land

TODAY

Norton Folgate near Spitalfields as it exists today

BRITISH LAND PROPOSALS - 70% DEMOLITION

Extent of demolition proposed by British Land

PROFIT PROFIT PROFIT

Join Hands to Save Norton Folgate

Sarah Ainslie / Via Facebook: savenortonfolgate

Join the Human Chain this weekend to circle historic Norton Folgate buildings threatened with demolition

This Sunday 19 July at 3PM hundreds will join hands to form a human chain encircling historic buildings in London's Norton Folgate near Spitalfields Market to protest against proposals from development giant British Land which threaten to destroy a huge swathe of this unique neighbourhood. The protest is part of the Spitalfields Trust's Save Norton Folgate campaign.

The British Land proposals, which lie entirely within a conservation area, involve demolition of over 70% of existing structures, including the gutting of distinctive 19th century industrial interiors in the much-loved former Nicolls and Clarke warehouse and showroom, and the construction of a massive office development up to 13 storeys tall.

More than 600 letters of objection have been made to the British Land plans and Spitalfields Trust has put forward an alternative redevelopment scheme by architect John Burrell which respects and enhances the historic fabric of the neighbourhood.

The British Land plan, supported by freeholders, the powerful City of London Corporation, breaches Tower Hamlets own guidelines for the conservation area and would completely transform this evocative district with its mix of low-rise structures dating from the 1720s to the 1980s.

Simon Mooney / Via Facebook: savenortonfolgate

The Save Norton Folgate campaign brings the veteran campaigners of the Spitalfields Trust, including BBC presenter, architectural historian Dan Cruickshank, in a return encounter with British Land, forty years after their successful battle against the same developers to save historic 18th century silk weavers' houses in Elder Street from demolition in 1977, supported by the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman.

The Save Norton Folgate campaign has gained support from a number of well-known figures including local blogger the Gentle Author (Spitalfields Life), actors Jonathan Pryce and Sian Phillips, comedian Jennifer Saunders, and Madness frontman, Suggs, who recited the group's iconic song The Liberty of Norton Folgate at the campaign's launch on 12 February this year.

Oliver Leigh-Wood, Administrator of Spitalfields Trust, said: 'After nearly forty years of fighting for the future of Spitalfields, it is extremely alarming to find that the City of London Corporation have secretively bought up a large part of the Elder Street Conservation Area and are now encouraging British Land to apply for its almost total destruction. This human chain event is an important part of the public demonstration of peoples' concern for the future of our heritage.'

About the Spitalfields Trust:

The Spitalfields Trust has been successfully saving and repairing historic buildings at risk of demolition or destruction since 1977. It takes on projects that are not necessarily commercial, often in overlooked or neglected areas and finds new uses for them.

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Spitalfields Trust @SpitalfieldsT

Join Hands to #SaveNortonFolgate #StopBritishLand Save Norton Folgate from this! https://t.co/CwOkKwa9Sg

12:27 PM - 13 Jul 2015

Watch Dan Cruickshank Explain Why Norton Folgate is Worth Saving

Spitalfields Trust @SpitalfieldsT

Only days left to object, watch this video of Dan Cruickshank explaining why we should #SaveNortonFolgate https://t.co/5L5p51ONom

12:22 PM - 07 Jul 2015

Via youtu.be

youtu.be/UMQBhsJCU7Y