The medieval heart of Plymouth survived the architectural carnage of the 20th century….

“….People hardly ever take the time to be a tourist in their own city, and it is easy to walk through this particular street without taking too much notice….” So begins this article. And oh, how true it is. I live on the outskirts of Gloucester, but beyond seeing the cathedral against the sky, I seldom go inside. I have been in the past, many times, but no longer. The same with nearby Tewkesbury Abbey. Shame on me.

Also like Gloucester (although thankfully not Tewkesbury), “….The surrounding area [in Plymouth] was twice threatened with demolition by the local authorities in the 20th century. In fact, more of the city’s ancient buildings were pulled down in the 1930s and 1950s than were destroyed by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War….” Oh, the crass destruction that went on in  the 20^th century was a dreadful stain on our history.

Anyway, the above Plymouth Herald link concerns New Street in the Barbican, which was saved from the 20^th century bulldozers and is still the magnificent medieval heart of the old town. There are a lot of details and photographs, so it’s well worth a browse (that’s the article and New street itself!).

There’s rather a lot of emphasis on the Tudors, as per, but they certainly didn’t found Plymouth, or the entire old town (much as their fans would like to pretend!)

However, pulling things down hasn’t been entirely banished, as the article includes the following: “….New plans have been submitted for its conversion – which would mean demolishing what is there and rebuilding it with some of the same bricks and stones….Hampshire-based Drew Properties wants to put a four-bedroom house on the site….Although it is in the boundary of The Barbican Conservation Area, the building is not listed as it is “not considered to be of adequate special interest”.

Well, the article mentions a former public house and cottages, yet doesn’t actually give their age, but they certainly look older than 19th/20th century. And granted they’re not listed or beautiful, but “not of adequate special interest”? To me they are of sufficient interest, especially when the reason for demolishing them is only a modern four-bedroomed house!

It seems planners are still obsessed with pulling thingsdown when it’s convenient, but in my opinion those at Plymouth shouldn’t be so swift to pat themselves on the back.