Rothley, Fowke Street c.1965

Photo ref: R259017

More about this scene

Now observe the same buildings overtaken by the urge to tidy up our villages as they shift their emphasis from the land toward the city. Cottages become the retreats of young executives, and thus the ugly chocolate box Grange Dairy makes its appearance. Planting in front of buildings is spirited away, while the buildings themselves are smartened up with a coat of white paint and the application of fake shutters. On the left, neat brick steps and safe pavements replace the more attractive ramped paving. Conservation area legislation should be modelled to regulate this continuous erosion of character, but regrettably it has little power in its everyday form to prevent anything short of demolition.