Concern over plans to close off Ludlow market

Heritage enthusiasts in Ludlow have expressed strong reservations about plans to bring in glass doors at the town's historic Buttercross, it has been claimed.

Simon Buteux, chairman of Ludlow Civic Society, said even town councillors had admitted glass doors closing off the market area of the building at night could be seen as a negative element of plans for the building.

But he insisted the society would retain an open mind on the plans ahead of meetings with clerk Veronica Calderbank, Mayor, Councillor John Aitken, and Colin Richards, Shropshire Council's historic environment manager.

The ceiling-hung doors have been proposed in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour. Ms Calderbank claimed youths have been vomiting and urinating in the market area under the building on an almost daily basis.

The plans for the Buttercross are part of a £1.9 million bid for cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve the town walls and to revive an ancient pathway around Ludlow Castle.

As part of the plans the Buttercross will be turned into a heritage and education centre showing films of Hereford College students carrying out some of the work.

Mr Buteux said: "The proposed installation of glass doors at the Buttercross is likely to be something that many in the civic society will have strong reservations about. Even the town council is on record as describing this as a 'negative element' of their broader proposals for the Buttercross.

"But we will retain an open mind until we have seen the full proposals."

Last week Ms Calderbank said the plans had been welcomed by English Heritage officials. She said the doors would only be set up at night between 9pm and 8am.

By Peter Kitchen