Coram’s demolition ‘putting money first’
Backlash over plans to pull down child mortuary
Published: 4th November, 2010
by DAN CARRIER
IT is a heartbreaking reminder of how, just a few generations ago, child mortality was a tragic burden faced by many families.
But now a children’s mortuary in the grounds of the world-famous Coram’s is facing demolition.
The Bloomsbury charity, founded in 1742 by sea captain Sir Thomas Coram to provide shelter for hundreds of abandoned children living on the streets of London, have applied to Camden Council for permission to knock down the mortuary, a Victorian swimming pool and an office block.
Coram’s want to replace them with a three-storey building for 600 workers that objectors say is money-making scheme to maximise income from their prime site in the heart of Bloomsbury.
Charity director Carol Homden told the New Journal the new building is vital to help them continue their work in improving the lives of young people.
“In London today we are seeing more children living in poverty and the number of children in care is set to rise,” she said. “The numbers of under-16s living in London is also growing. We face a situation where we will are going to need to be able to help more children – and help children more.
“That is what this new building will do.”
Ms Homden said the mortuary and swimming pool earmarked for demolition were no longer used and that in order for the charity to continue to be able to provide first-class services to those in need they needed to maximise their resources. The new building would house other children‘s charities and related groups, and would also offer space for their adoption and education services.
Ms Homden added: “The proposal is a revision of existing consent we have already been granted to strike a better balance for the charity and protect the interests of neighbours.”
But those opposing the plans claim offices will simply be let to anyone who can afford to pay the rents. The Victorian Society say the plans for demolition must be thrown out. In a letter to the Town Hall’s planning committee, the Society said: “The mortuary is a poignant reminder of the high rates of childhood mortality in London.”
They added: “The swimming pool and mortuary date from the late 19th century and remain surprisingly intact. To demolish them would be highly wasteful and is an unsustainable approach to the historic environment.”
Their views have been backed by Save Britain’s Heritage, and parent governor Gerard McClean, who said: “The charity have made it look like this building will be for their use, but that is not the case. It is to generate income.”