An Open Letter To Owen Whalley, Tower Hamlets Head Of Planning re the Jewish Maternity Hospital in Underwood Road
29 September 2011
Dear Owen,
I understand that Peabody has given your officers prior notice of the demolition of the former JEWISH MATERNITY HOSPITAL at 22-28 Underwood Road (site notice dated 19 September 2011). Also that they are meeting your officers next week to discuss their proposed late-October application for residential development of the cleared site.
I and others have asked Peabody to retain and convert some of the buildings on Underwood Road. For example, the front parts at 22 and 24 Underwood Road. Peabody informed me today that their architects have considered various possibilities and decided that all the buildings have to be demolished.
By seeking to demolish all the buildings in the very near future rather than making the usual planning application for demolition and replacement, Peabody is effectively stopping the retention debate: at its planned local consultation meeting in mid-October, during the public consultation period.
The Borough’s bid for city status is partly based on our rich and diverse history. This includes the built heritage of the Jewish East End: a few listed synagogues, the former Jewish Soup Kitchen in Spitalfields and the former old people’s home in Mile End. Surely we must also keep a few small buildings to represent the only Jewish maternity hospital in England and the pioneering achievements of Alice Model MBE.
I sincerely hope that you will insist on Peabody making an application for demolition and replacement so that the retention debate can continue.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Ridge
