Spitalfields’ historic wool exchange saved

Campaigners fighting building plans which they claimed would “obliterate” one of London’s oldest market neighbourhoods are celebrating after councillors turned down the proposals.

The television architectural historian Dan Cruickshank was one of the residents battling to prevent the demolition of the London Fruit and Wool Exchange in Spitalfields.

Opponents claimed the 300,000 sq ft office and retail scheme to replace the 1929 building was “banal” and would ruin the bohemian feel of an area popular with artists and musicians.

The development would also have seen the disappearance of The Gun pub and Dorset Street, where Jack the Ripper murdered his last victim Mary Kelly in 1888 and which was once home to Huguenot silk weavers’ houses.

Developers Exemplar said it would create 2,000 jobs but Tower Hamlets planners voted unanimously to scrap the plan, although a revised scheme is likely to be discussed at a later date. Mr Cruickshank — a Spitalfields resident for 35 years and presenter of Around The World In 80 Treasures — said: “The committee was very perceptive and thoughtful and fair-minded.

“They weren’t convinced that the destruction of a Twenties building was warranted and they understood that eradiating an ancient thoroughfare was not acceptable.”

The building was formerly Britain’s largest auction room and its vaults sheltered Londoners during the Blitz. It is currently used by small firms on short leases.

BBC News journalist John Nicolson, also part of the opposition campaign, said: “The developers cynically offered a fig leaf to councillors, suggesting there would be jobs for locals if they allowed the demolition. But the councillors saw through them, realising there was no offer of jobs and no homes — just a giant new office block.”

The firm’s development director Maxwell Shand called the decision “disappointing” and vowed to fight on with a fresh proposal.

He said: “If we need to change the design or the mix of the development then we will do that.”