5 Houses in Advocate’s Walk

Press Release —-Ludlow Civic Society

Monday 19th September 2011
Following a protracted community campaign against the building of five executive houses on land to the rear of 9/10 King Street in Ludlow, a plan which would have ruined the setting of St. Laurence’s Church and the famous Reader’s House, Ludlow Civic Society is delighted to announce that the land has been purchased on its behalf and is now safe from the unwanted development.
Consultation will take place on the future use of the land but it will include retention of the historic garden for community enjoyment in perpetuity and the sensitive use of the rest of the land for community benefit, probably in the form of almshouses or affordable housing which respects the historic surroundings.
The Civic Society will now embark on a major fund raising campaign to enable the garden land to be transferred to its direct control.
Already members have been making ‘pledges’ of sums from ten pounds to thousands of pounds, and these will now be translated into ‘hard cash’. In addition the appeal will be extended to the hundreds of people from Ludlow and beyond who objected to the development. The Society wishes to involve as many people as possible, and is confident that it will be successful in its fundraising.
Civic Society chairman, Simon Buteux said that that this acquisition was wonderful news and paid tribute to the various people who since 2003 have worked to protect this sensitive site at the heart of Ludlow. ‘We now look forward to working with the Town Council, St. Laurence’s Church and other community bodies to ensure that we achieve something of benefit to the whole community and something which future generations will treasure.’
Contact: John Nash, project leader: 01584 879029 john.nash@vodafoneemail.co.uk
Simon Buteux, chairman, Ludlow Civic Society: 01584 872295 s.t.e.buteux@bham.ac.uk