Birkin Haward's 'The Spinney'

Outline Planning Application to demolish 108 Westerfield Road (The Spinney) and erect a 3-storey 50-bed care home and 4 assisted living flats

The Ipswich Society discussed this application recently and is unanimously opposed to the demolition of this house. The Society has received many calls from its members supporting this view. Our reasons are as follows:

1. It is the only 'modern' domicile in the Borough.
2. It is a good example of a well designed house of that era and is attractive aesthetically both from the outside and the inside.
3. At the time it was built it attracted positive reports both in the English architectural press and in the German.
4. It functions well as a large house, currently lived in by at least six people. Whilst some renovation and updating are needed, it is not in a state of terminal decay.
5. It was designed by Birkin Haward for himself and his family to live in which they did until his death in 2002.
6. There was an attempt to List the house then which was supported by English Heritage and the Twentieth Century Society; unfortunately it was unsuccessful.
7. Birkin Haward, Ipswich born and bred, was Ipswich's most notable and prolific modern architect. His buildings are attractive and successful, some already Listed. Further, he wrote many books on architecture in Suffolk and was a fine artist; some of his output was on show very impressively at the Town Hall Gallery recently.

We support strongly the efforts of the Twentieth Century Society and, hopefully, English Heritage to have it Spot Listed until a substantive decision is made.

Postscript: we are pleased to add that a Building Preservation Order has been placed on the house.