Proposals to hold talks about Grange Court’s future in Leominster’s Priory Church have been sharply attacked by critics of highly controversial plans for the “iconic” 17th century building.
Fierce opposition to proposed changes at the Grade II* listed Grange Court has not been eased by Herefordshire Council planning committee’s decision to defer judgement earlier this month, and now protesters have lodged strong complaints about the choice of venue for what seems set to be an angry debate.
Vicar at the Priory, the Rev Michael Kneen has given permission for a public meeting in the church at 7.30pm on Thursday, July 23.
Mayor of Leominster, Councillor Richard Westwood, who will be chairing the meeting has this week denied claims that the venue was a “design choice” aimed at discouraging protesters from stating their views.
At the planning committee meeting on Friday, July 3, councillors listened to proposals put forward by Leominster Area Regeneration Company (LARC).
These included making internal changes to restore an upper chamber to its original size, removing extensions to the building and building new office and community rooms to rent out.
Critics were particularly vociferous in their views about proposed removal of a Victorian staircase and felling eight trees in the grounds.
Thanking the vicar for permitting use of the Priory for next week’s meeting, Councillor Westwood said the public meeting was an opportunity for townspeople to present their views on Grange Court, and to listen to LARC’s proposals.
But this week, Ian Gaskin, who refers to the plans as a “rape” of John Abel’s historic building, claimed that the venue had been “deliberately chosen” to bring the public protest to a halt. “I think the choice is questionable, and cannot be looked upon as being credible,” said Mr Gaskin.
He believed many opponents of the plans would be uncomfortable at attending a public meeting in the church.
“I suggest holding the meeting in a ‘neutral’ venue, where nobody feels cornered or pressured,” he said.
Another opponent of the proposals, who did not wish to be named, was also unhappy about the choice of venue.
However, the mayor said there was “no hidden agenda” and no-one was “seeking to manipulate” views.
He pointed out that the church had been used for civic occasions and non-religious meetings for hundreds of years.”
We were just looking for a suitably large venue, and there are not that many in Leominster,” he said.
“The Rev Michael Kneen was kind enough to let us use the church and I will be chairing the meeting as the mayor.”
He continued: “This will be an absolutely level playing field for all concerned. This is a suitable venue and we are hoping to get as many people as possible and the Church has been kind enough to respond positively.”
As chairman, he would be “neutral” on the debate. “I shall be listening to everybody, and won’t be making any points.”
Councillor Westwood felt that as long as language used during the meeting was within the tone of “normal, civilised debate” there was no problem.
“I can’t see that Mr Gaskin has got any kind of point,” he said.