Victorian 'abuse' orphanage to be torn down

A VICTORIAN orphanage where children were beaten and known by numbers rather than names is to be demolished.

The site in Maitland Road, Chalk Farm, will be developed into a 60-bed care home and 35 sheltered housing units. The orphanage, Alexandra House, operated between 1847 and 1949.

Historian Beth Shaw, who has lived next door to the building for 30 years, said: "There was a lot of brutality in the orphanage so I hope the new home will be a caring and happy place."

Martin Davies, Camden council's member for adult social care, said: "One of the foundation stones will become part of the new building in remembrance of what came before."