Comments on: A Bell-Themed Boutique Hotel?

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 15:11:01 +0000

I’ve had letter from Tower Hamlets planning as there are revisions to the proposal. The deadline for comments is 17/06/2019. I note there are now workshops. It would be helpful if the campaign to save the foundry could post an update to help us make comments.

This correspondence from Historic England is on the planning site

https://development.towerhamlets.gov.uk/online-applications/files/BA0456874C742D4DAE1AF9A6AEB6A093/pdf/PA_19_00008_A1-LETTER_FROM_HISTORIC_ENGLAND_DATED__01_MAR_2019-1511196.pdf

“Historic England has been involved in pre-application negotiations on proposals for this site since 2016, and our advice has helped shaped the current proposals. In summary, whilst the demise of the site as a single-use working foundry for large bells is regrettable, we believe that the proposals represent a conservation led approach that safeguards the architectural significance of the listed buildings on site while providing them with new uses and a long term sustainable future. The end of the long bell-making tradition at the site will inevitably result in some loss of historical significance. In our view, however, that loss will be mitigated through the use of part of the site as a working foundry for small bells and artworks, and through the re-use of the historic carpentry workshops.”

By: ClareEdwards

ClareEdwards — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 14:13:07 +0000

Could you please tell us how the campaign to save the foundry is going? I sent a few $s to your great cause!

By: Rachel Blaylock

Rachel Blaylock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 23:36:10 +0000

I have written my strong letter of objection and shared with family and friends. There is a sad inevitability about these things, but I have a glimmer of hope with the Historic Buildings trust and the Factum Foundation getting on board. That artist’s impression above doesn’t even merit comment. Ugh.

By: Martin Corrick

Martin Corrick — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 20:42:56 +0000

Thank you for raising public interest in this fabulous treasure. It certainly deserves everyone’s support. The fact that this building has created bells that are still tolling their beautiful song across London – and much wider than that, perhaps – is a delightful notion, expressing much about English history and culture.

Please preserve this building!

By: Margy Mayell

Margy Mayell — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:37:19 +0000

Keep as bell foundry

By: Sue masters

Sue masters — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 07:27:50 +0000

Save the bell foundry no way should it be a hotel , so wrong !

By: Christopher Clarke

Christopher Clarke — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 11:45:14 +0000

I have today written a letter to Tower Hamlets Council to object. As a musical instrument maker whose son worked for a bell-foundry near Orléans until it effectively closed, I have the deepest empathy with your struggle to preserve both material and immaterial heritage of the first order. Bravo for the fight you are putting up! Nil Illegitimus Carborundum!

By: David

David — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 19:17:38 +0000

Allow me to happily draw readers’ attention to a wonderful bit of history about the little fishing village where I live in Newfoundland, Canada, and the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. In Petty Harbour our Anglican Church (one side of the Harbour used to be Protestant, and the other Catholic!) has a bell that was cast by Whitechapel, and is one of 7 known in our province. You can read about it here:

http://www.ichblog.ca/2017/10/the-1845-whitechapel-bell-at-st-georges.html

By: Sue Mayer

Sue Mayer — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:46:59 +0000

I have submitted my objection. Thanks for alerting us and giving us all the information needed to object.

Why do we still want to destroy our historical buildings! I hope the council see sense this time.

By: Tabitha Alice Harman Potts

Tabitha Alice Harman Potts — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 11:14:07 +0000

I’ve just written to Tower Hamlets Council to object as well. I do hope they are flooded with objections and this wonderful building is saved from the developers’ dead hands. Thanks for your fantastic work and helpful guidelines.