A CAMPAIGN is underway to prevent a renowned architect's home from being demolished and turned into a care home.Plans have been submitted to demolish The Spinney in Westerfield Road - which was built and lived in by Birkin Haward - and develop a three-storey 50-bedroom care home in its place.
A CAMPAIGN is underway to prevent a renowned architect's home from being demolished and turned into a care home.
Plans have been submitted to demolish The Spinney in Westerfield Road - which was built and lived in by Birkin Haward - and develop a three-storey 50-bedroom care home in its place.
But residents living close by are fighting the development. They say it is inappropriate on the basis of its location, scale and impact on the woodland environment.
They also say The Spinney is a “wonderful building” by an eminent regional architect which should be protected.
James Dunning, one of those fighting the plans, said: “Birkin Haward is a renowned architect and the house is part of the area and it is celebrated and beautiful.
“It is just an inappropriate development that we fear will ruin the woodland setting. It is a massive development in a residential area.
“There is also an exhibition of his work at Ipswich Town Hall at the moment - ripping down his house while celebrating his work - you couldn't make it up.”
Birkin Haward was an architect, painter, draughtsman and photographer. He was born in Ipswich where he lived and practiced as an architect for most of his life. He died in 2002.
An exhibition of his paintings is currently being held at Ipswich Town Hall Galleries and will run until June 13.
The developers say the new care home will be an environmentally sensitive, low impact building. They also say The Spinney does not meet the standards which would be expected of a new building.
The plans have been submitted to Ipswich Borough Council.
n. Do you think the house should be allowed to be demolished? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or have your say at www.eveningstar.co.uk
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