This is cultural vandalism

OFFICIAL and owner neglect is about the only explanation for a move to get rid of the Old Coach House at Kenilworth Avenue, Beaconsfield.
Vandalism is so predictable when a heritage building is left untenanted because of impending developments that it should be incumbent on the council and developer to protect the property.
Wanton destruction of the building is a weak excuse for having it demolished and then out of the hair of both developer and the council.
Most developments come with a developer contribution so there is little reason why such buildings cannot be part of that contribution and preserved. The integrity of this building could and should have been earmarked and seriously considered early in the planning process for development of this wider area.
Most developers don’t care about such things so the buck stops with the people and the council.
Because this one slipped under the people’s guard there needs to be one “hell of a fight” by the people to put things right again.
We need in future to list such buildings and be prepared to fight to see they are not destroyed.
If they are vandalised then the people should see that they are restored. The State Government needs to more strenuously bring into planning regulations conditions of ownership that would better protect heritagelisted buildings from shelf companies.
Little can be done to restore things such as broken stained glass windows as is the case in the Old Coach House but they can be restored with new glass.
Windows by their nature shatter through the ages and a replaced pane of glass should not lessen the significance of a building.
Developers now have an out that is far too easy when they find an old building on their property that is to say the least “in the way”.
They leave it to the local lads and the job is done for them.
“‘Tut, tut’, isn’t that terrible,” they say.
Then, just like one special homestead at Berwick several years ago said to have been vandalised by a hooded cult in the area, the building is condemned and demolished.
What really gets demolished in these situations is our social worth.