Boxes without soul

[Bayliss]

As I type this post I am being treated to the unsightly spectacle of a lovely old cob cottage undergoing its demolition. The workmen are on its roof stripping off the tiles . Plans are passed for the build of another box of brick and plastic in its place. What I considered to be countryside is becoming more like Basildon. This is the second cottage to be felled within nine years, that's a lot from a hamlet of only eleven homes.

 

[Lime]

My commiserations.
I think the same when I see it.
They really do not know what they do.

 

[Penners]

They really do not know what they do.

Much as I mourn the passing of another traditional building, I'm very much afraid that they know exactly what they do. They buy up a cheap property in need of TLC, demolish it, throw up a new one and sell it at a fat profit.

That's what they do.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Much as I mourn the passing of another traditional building, I'm very much afraid that they know exactly what they do. They buy up a cheap property in need of TLC, demolish it, throw up a new one and sell it at a fat profit.

That's what they do.

I was going to save my 3000th post for something sage and erudite.

But I'm just going to say B@.....ds. :evil:

 

[Flyfisher]

That's what they do.

Indeed. And they do it safe in the knowledge that many will be happy to buy these 'boxes without soul' - really truly happy or just happy to put up with them, it makes little difference really.

 

[robgil]

Shouldnt that be cardboard boxes without soul? Cos thats what they are made from , honest.
bet the developers wouldnt live in one. I am just wondering why they dident give their mate in the council a call and get permission passed for a small housing estate on the plot, thats what they normally do so long as they give/sell whatever a few to a local housing authority. The kind of estate where you cant get a small van down the stupidly tight streets and your back garden is overlooked by twelve different house holds.

 

[Penners]

something sage and erudite.

Sage: a member of the mint family, rich in flavonoids, phenols and tannins

Erudite: a cross-linked epoxy resin adhesive for glass, ceramic, leather, wood, metal, masonry, most hard plastics, rubber, etc.

:?

 

[AMc]

The calculations I saw in 'Home Building and Renovation' when planning our work showed that renovation is more expensive m2 for m2 than new build without VAT. You pay 20% VAT on renovation and 0% VAT on new build.

In a completely flat housing market the opportunities for developers to make a profit are limited. I'm not justifying this kind of vandalism but it is understandable that a commercial developer will demolish and rebuild if they can make some/more money that way. Very sad

 

[Penners]

renovation is more expensive m2 for m2 than new build without VAT. You pay 20% VAT on renovation and 0% VAT on new build.

Exactly so. And that's why developers want to demolish rather than renovate. :evil:

 

[d49xc]

Round here with the larger houses it's done by private individuals.
You take a house, it's has been extended/altered multiple times
It has been mucked about with by various different owners each with their own ideas.
It certainly has some cheap bodges done somewhere in it.
The floor levels may change at each inconnecting room on the ground floor - I've seen that
Inside it a litany of doors that don't fit, hollow sounding plasterwork whatever.
I've been in many - and you think when you come across a bizarre bit - why did they do that?

The new propective owners look at it and its position on the plot and see how much it would cost to totally sort it out and make it suitable for modern living and insulate it to modern standards.

.....and the answer everytime is don't bother - just knock it down and re-build it.
In fact even without the 20% VAT advantage for a new build I reckon some would still be cheaper to re-build than to renovate

 

[another_richard]

Down 'ere in Hastings heritage is "...not for the likes of us" (Bertie Tressall):

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/m...medium-has-been-reduced-to-rubble-395467.html

1982 July - There was much angry protest amongst conservationists at the way Coastal Amusements had got away with demolishing listed Regency shop fronts without being prosecuted. Owner Harry Symonds had been expanding his cash-generating entertainments centre at the De Luxe and adjoining properties in Pelham Place. Councillors and council officers, especially planning chief Tony Fry, were accused of being in his pocket.

What about the building that treated Lewis Carroll for his stammer:

Hastings Courts Ltd, owners of land on The Ridge, where the historic Hastings Cottage once stood, were fined the maximum £1,000 and will also have to pay £372 towards the council's costs and clear the land.

Hastings CottageThe former care home dates back to the mid 19th century and was used to treat people with stammers, most notably author Lewis Carroll, a former resident of the town. The building has recently been demolished.
http://www.hastingswatchdog.org.uk/the-ridge/hastings-cottage




I could sit here and paste literally hundreds of examples of how the heritage of Hastings has suffered in the name of 'progress'.

 

[Penners]

Hastings Courts Ltd, owners of land on The Ridge, where the historic Hastings Cottage once stood, were fined the maximum £1,000 and will also have to pay £372 towards the council's costs and clear the land.

The trouble is that the fine doesn't bring the building back. Anyway, a total cash forfeit of £1372 is risible - small change to a major property developer.