Knowle: book launch... at Knowle

This is the speech given this evening - at the full District Council session - by Michael Temple, member of the Knowle Residents' Association:

Chairman, Cllrs,

Would I be right in saying that many of you support the Devon Historic Houses Trust?

In which case are you aware of the recently published book of The Knowle launched last week, describing a site with the richest and most important history of any in this town?

Are you aware, for instance, that many interior features survive of this former hotel building that was described by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in the nineteen fifties as “of outstanding historical interest” (p49)?

And are you aware  that “over the years Knowle has hosted many civic events and the large reception rooms are still in use by many local groups” – for concerts, religious services and wedding receptions, for instance – and that “such a venue will be hard to replace”(p66).

And are Cllrs also aware that, in the East Devon Open Space Report last year, Knowle's grounds, including the fine prospect from its upper lawns, is singled out, along with only Killerton and Connaught Gardens, as of special importance to be preserved and enhanced?

Would Cllrs now agree that it would be an act of civic vandalism to destroy our precious heritage, deprive us of a valued community asset and also spoil our splendid park by demolishing this building and allowing development south as far as the listed Gothic folly beyond the edge of the fine lawned prospect?

The Chair of the Council remarked that he was currently reading the book and that it would inform discussions about the future of Knowle.

The Leader of the District Council and the chair of the Development Management Cttee are members of the DHBT:
www.devon.gov.uk/paul_diviani_72009.pdf
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/ac_190510_item18outsidebodies.pdf
Welcome to Devon Historic Buildings Trust

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/council_agenda_231013.pdf

See also: Futures Forum: Knowle: book launch
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