Roger Taylor, drummer for queen, infuriates heritage authorities in the UK. All because the 73-year-old musician wants to build a new gate into his Cornwall mansion, which was once an orphanage. For the construction, it will be necessary to demolish an old classroom, garden space and a barn. The gate will be 30 meters from the main house which has a games room, tennis court, indoor pool and even a helipad.
According to Historic England, one of the country’s public bodies responsible for historical heritage, the new law would be “excessively dominant” and would harm the building’s composition. The palace is Grade II listed, the most common type of historical building, but of both architectural and historical significance of national importance.
Inspector Catherine Marlowe said in a letter: “Historic England considers that the proposed replacement of the building would have a detrimental effect on the composition of the Grade II listed building on its landscape and thus on its heritage significance.”
The alternative suggested by the department is for the musician to form a small courtyard, in a way resembling a country house and for the masonry to be built in the east to soften the visual impact. “This will keep the functions of the buildings clearly separate from the main house and reduce their size, mass and impact.”
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