I WAS delighted with the reaction to my article on Leaden Hall a couple of weeks ago. The buildings situated in Salisbury Cathedral Close are, as I mentioned, a pleasure to visit and we are very privileged indeed.

It is rather fortunate that in 1964, two planning applications from the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral, both concerning the property known as Arundells in the Close, were turned down by the City Council on the advice of the Town Planning Committee.

The application was for a change of use of Arundells to offices, with accommodation for a caretaker; the other as an outline application for two new houses at the rear of the premises.

Councillors heard the views of Salisbury and District Preservation Trust, who felt that in order to ensure that this and other properties in the Close were maintained or developed to the best possible advantage, the Dean and Chapter should be urged to have an over-all long term survey and development plan prepared for The Close as a whole.

The Trust submitted that the garden of Arundells was one of the few left reaching down to the river in their original form, and comprised a most valuable amenity to the building. The erection of two houses would seriously affect this amenity.

The Town Planning Committee’s reason for recommending refusal of the change-of-use application was that it would establish a precedent for commercial development within The Close.

In the case of the scheme for two houses, it was felt that, in view of the national and international importance of The Close, planning permission should only be granted in respect of development proved to be absolutely essential to the proper functioning of The Close.

It was not considered that these houses were essential or desirable and I am probably not alone in thinking what a tragedy this might have been for Arundells.