Who has declared 26 Market Place, March, unsafe? It has stood for more than 200 years.
That the building is unsafe and the chimney is falling down are very serious statements. If this was the case then I would expect Fenland District Council’s building control to have carried out inspections and sealed off the surrounding area for the health and safety of passersby.
Subsidence of 18in is a huge amount for one side of the building and surely would be visible from outside.
Restoration projects are taking place throughout the country. Heritage organisations such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings run restoration courses.
They encourage the restoration of heritage buildings as more cost-effective than demolition and re-building, especially under the strict building regulations.
This is a heritage building in keeping architecturally and historically with the 17th century marketplace and with The Griffin Hotel to which it is linked.
It is sad that other buildings have been lost and therefore it is so important to restore this remaining and oldest building.
Restoration and use of the present building would create the jobs for the estate agency and help ease the town’s housing shortage, as well as add to the charm of the Market Place.
JENNIFER LAWLER
Chairman, on behalf of The March Society
Via e-mail
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