Old Stables on All Saints Green

No. 50 All Saints Green in Norwich was designed by the architect A.F. Scott in the 1890s as a stable for horses working the Norwich depot of the Co-Operative Society.
The depot originally occupied several acres on the west side of All Saints Green Road. Now the building is partially hidden from the road and is backed by the new YMCA residential building.

The stable has many charming features including a weather vane on top of a lantern, which are barely visible to the casual passer-by. There is a fine panel of moulded brick over the main door with a motif of sunflowers and leaves and there are Dutch gables at both ends and above the doorways. The building was listed Grade II by English Heritage only a few years ago as a result of application from a private citizen but that hasn’t stopped it being neglected. It is owned by the County Council and needs restoration before its condition deteriorates beyond repair.

A.F. Scott (1890-1925) was born at Rockland St Peter and set up his practice at 24 Castle Meadow in 1886. His designs include the Baptist Church on the Dereham Road and he was one of the architects of the Mile Cross Garden Suburb that has recently become a conservation area.

Changes to Government planning procedures have forced the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) to issue a new document entitled Technical Consultation Regulation 25 (TCR25) on the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk. We feel that the new document does nothing to change the opinions and reservations expressed in our response in February 2008 to the Joint Core Strategy Report (Issues and Options), but the extra information that it contains does require further comment.
The rapidly worsening national and international economic situation has already made meaningless the assumptions of continued expansion and development on which the JCS is founded. Worries that we expressed in our earlier response have now become major anxieties, and we see no evidence in the new document that the planners are able to even acknowledge the existence of the new realities.

In addition, developments on the ground, in the form of transport infrastructure decisions and piecemeal planning permissions already granted by or in process with individual councils, may have begun to distort and undermine the JCS before it is even formulated. Those details that do emerge in the new document reveal a lack of strategic long-term planning vision that is in danger of producing a badly-flawed and unbalanced outcome for the Greater Norwich area.

Full latest response click here • For original response click here

An elegant model in lovely condition seeks a new home. She may not be absolutely up-to-date in her accessories, but she does represent a fine tradition and has been much admired in her time.

The 6-foot square 3-D model of the centre of the city which used to sit comfortably in the reception area of the NCC Planning office in City Hall has been ousted from her plinth to make way for desks and chairs. She has found temporary lodging in the back bedroom of a Thorpe Hamlet Samaritan.

Like all models she needs to be seen and admired.
The Norwich Society has taken up her cause and would like to see the model displayed where everyone can enjoy her attractions. She could serve as a teaching aid, a novel attraction, or, as intended, an aid to citizens trying to estimate how proposed changes will alter the city.

Perhaps there is an architect’s office, a museum, school or library that would give space to this excellent scale replica of the centre of Norwich.

Photograph by Justin Barnard

For the past three years ten teams of volunteers have worked area-by-area listing those buildings in the City that, although not ‘listed’ by English Heritage, are of local significance and met a set of conservation criteria  drawn up with the help of one of the City’s Conservation Officers. English Heritage has approved our methods, and a panel of experts has reviewed the draft list.  The Project is now drawing towards the public consultation stage.
              The data – some 122 entries - will be loaded up on to our website over the summer.  Meanwhile, the Steering Committee has been working with photographer Sarah Cocke on planning an exhibition for the Forum before and during Heritage Open Days – September 5-11. 
            The exhibition will illustrate the criteria used to assess the buildings: townscape, architecture, history, community and condition. All the buildings selected contribute to their area’s sense of place by a combination of their architectural or historical significance, or by being of use to the community. Some are local landmarks.   Paper copies of the full data base will be available for people to view and they can then note their comments and make further suggestions.
           
            Sets of postcards showing ten images of architectural details taken by Sarah Cocke will be on sale at the tables for £4.00 each.

The Howard House, King Street.

Number 97 King Street is wrapped in plastic and propped up with scaffolding like some giant construct waiting for a Turner Prize but there is no post- modern irony attached to its condition.   Known as the Howard House, it is graded II* by English Heritage and is currently on the “At Risk” register.
The Dukes of Norfolk have had uneasy relationship with Norwich since the Civil War.  The family of Howard traces its origins back to East Winch near King’s Lynn in the 13th century and at various times have held estates in Norfolk at Castle Rising, Bungay  and  Kenninghall. This preeminent Catholic family that rose to the heights of international politics suffered crushing reversals during the Cromwellian period.
During the reign of Charles II, Henry Howard (1628-84), who was to become the 6th Duke, made efforts to restore the family fortune.   Part of his strategy was to establish good relations with the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich and to make annual visits to the Howard palace on Duke Street.  Unfortunately, the house which had been built in 1540 had become surrounded by unsavoury local industries reliant on the river, such as dyers.  Nevertheless, Henry commissioned Robert Hooke to design a new and grander palace.  The site was very restricted and so Henry looked to his land on King Street to create a “wilderness garden”, a bowling green, orchards and pleasure grounds.  Here also he rebuilt, around 1663, the house we know as the Howard House: it was in effect a garden house for the new Duke’s Palace.
Henry entertained Charles II and his Queen to his new mansion on a state visit in 1671.  We may justifiably imagine the be-wigged and be-ribboned royal household perambulating the pleasure gardens by the Wensum and retiring to the house for refreshments. 
At the time of writing, the Howard House is in the hands of the receivers who are well aware of the building’s historic importance. But then many of the previous owners have been similarly aware. And still this fine and historic house is not conserved.

As printed in Triangle magazine September issue.