The Undershaw Hotel
I remember having a very nice meal in the Undershaw sometime in the 1990's - it's a shame that it closed down around 2004. The house was built for Conan Doyle in 1897 and this is where he wrote "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and other Sherlock Holmes novels.
Unfortunately, property developers who bought the house want to turn it into flats or pull it down! The house is Grade II listed and I hope the local council can save it for the nation before it falls down.
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RE: RE: The Undershaw Hotel
I was so pleased to see a comment on Undershaw and how in fact this person hoped the local council would save it for the nation!
Unfortunately this was not the case. In a meeting held on 9th June 2010 Waverley Borough Council unanimously approved a planning application to develop the site. The main house will be split into 3 separate units whilst the 1930's extension will be pulled down to make way for a new extension of 5 town houses.
A cllr from that meeting said "There have been numerous objections that are not based on planning matters. Doubtless they are heartfelt, but this application must be judged only on its merit. We must be pragmatic."
This is nonsense. The historical value has to be considered when concerning listed buildings. If it is not what is the point of listing? The vast majority of the stately homes and monuments in this country would not be standing if planning applications were purely considered on 'planning matters' alone. It may seem absurd example but using the cllr's argument a plan to demolish Nelson's column and fill Trafalgar Square with houses would be accepted.
It would have been a fitting tribute to Conan Doyle should we have managed to save this building for the nation.
The Undershaw Preservation Trust was formed last year to try and raise awareness of the need to save this iconic and historical building but unfortunately to no avail. Please visit www.saveundershaw.com
Comment from Vanessa Gale on Sunday, 20th June 2010.