A blaze that tore by a Grade II-listed First World Battle plane hangar at Outdated Sarum airfield – simply days after a controversial housing growth was greenlit – has reignited considerations over the fragility of Britain’s heritage safety legal guidelines.
Hangar 3, a WW1 airstrip and base, had been central to a latest planning permission utility, with the council solely approving the 315-home growth given that the hangar be conserved.
Now, that hangar is gone, additional questions have been raised across the lack of protections for heritage buildings that have been presupposed to be protected by the “Crooked Home Regulation” – so why will this new legislation not apply?
Why the Crooked Home legislation will not apply
Watch On
The destruction of Hangar 3 has sparked quick comparisons to the 2023 demolition of the Crooked Home pub in Staffordshire, which led to a nationwide outcry and the federal government’s promise to introduce more durable laws to guard heritage buildings.
However regardless of ministers saying the so-called “Crooked Home Regulation” final yr – geared toward stopping historic constructions from being demolished by neglect or hearth and requiring like-for-like reconstruction – the legislation has nonetheless but to return into pressure, which means it won’t apply on this occasion.
Salisbury Metropolis Council’s Planning Committee expressed robust criticism following the collapse of Hangar 3 throughout Storm Isha: “The collapse of Hangar 3 at Outdated Sarum Airfield is a catastrophe lengthy predicted by those that have been campaigning to save lots of this Grade II listed wartime survivor. Our heritage safety programs have failed abjectly of their obligation to make sure its preservation regardless of years of pleading by aviation fanatics such because the group SOS – Save Outdated Sarum.”
Historic England has been actively concerned in efforts to protect the hangar and expressed concern over its deteriorating situation: “We stay disenchanted with the deteriorating situation of the Grade II listed Hangar at Outdated Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, and we’re involved to listen to there was an additional collapse.”
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An unprotected legacy
The Outdated Sarum airfield, one of many oldest operational airfields within the UK, has lengthy been recognised for its navy and architectural significance.
Planning permission has been granted for 315 new properties on the historic Outdated Sarum Airfield close to Salisbury, nonetheless, a key situation of the complete was the complete restoration of the derelict Hangar 3 earlier than 160 of the properties could possibly be occupied.
Hangar 3 was a part of a set of historic buildings that earned the positioning conservation standing from English Heritage in 2007.
It had fallen into disrepair lately, struggling a partial collapse throughout Storm Isha in January, prompting campaigners, corresponding to SOS, to accuse the positioning’s homeowners of “demolition by dereliction of obligation.”
The planning inspector overseeing the housing inquiry in February rejected the notion that the hangar had been intentionally uncared for.
Now, with the construction lowered to ash, it’s unclear what recourse stays. Campaigners are calling for a judicial evaluation of the planning approval, arguing that the premise of the consent – conservation of the hangar – is not viable.
No “Crooked Home Regulation”… but
The Crooked Home laws, formally titled the Historic Buildings (Reinstatement and Safety) Invoice, remains to be in its session part and never anticipated to be enacted till late 2025.
Till then, there aren’t any authorized obligations for homeowners or builders to rebuild a heritage asset misplaced in a fireplace – even beneath suspicious circumstances.
“The system has gaping holes,” mentioned aviation historian Andy Saunders. “Hangar 3 was considered one of a handful of its sort left within the nation. With out enforceable protections, we’re dropping our nationwide historical past one hearth at a time.”
The Excessive Court docket has not too long ago introduced that the Planning Enforcement Public Inquiry into the Crooked Home might be placed on maintain till after the continued prison investigation into the hearth is concluded. South Staffordshire Council expressed disappointment on the delay.
Investigation underway
Police have launched a proper investigation into the reason for the blaze and are treating it as suspicious. Gaps within the fencing across the disused hangar had been famous in photographs taken previous to the hearth, elevating considerations about website safety.
No casualties have been reported, however the hearth additionally consumed a close-by café and enterprise unit. Firefighters from 5 stations battled the blaze late into the night.
Dorset & Wiltshire Hearth and Rescue has warned residents to maintain home windows closed on account of potential publicity to hazardous supplies, and Wiltshire Police are interesting for witnesses.
Outdated Sarum Airfield Ltd, which owns the positioning, expressed “devastation” on the lack of the hangar. Director Grenville Hodge insisted the corporate had meant to start restoration work instantly following the profitable attraction.
