Marylebone scheme courts disaster

Incorporating the County Court (c1848), the Seymour Place Bath façade (1865-97) and the Marylebone Baths (c1896-7), the Marylebone Magistrates Court encompasses a rare nineteenth century civic complex and stands in the Portman Estate Conservation Area. Plans to demolish the Marylebone Baths, the most architecturally interesting of the three buildings, to make way for a new five storey court, would be particularly detrimental to the historic character of the area. The Victorian Society is urging Westminster Council to reject all plans that don’t at least incorporate the façade of the Marylebone Baths into the new development.

‘It’s vital that as much as possible of this rare historic complex is retained,’ said Heloise Brown, Conservation Adviser of the Victorian Society. ‘The Baths on Marylebone road do so much to define the character of this part of London and stand as a testament to the civic pride that inspired them. The right scheme would use what’s best about the historic building to enhance the new court’s design. We hope Westminster Council recognise this and throw the proposals out.’