Cllrs Whitebread and Rosenstiel have been leading a campaign to protect the cast iron lighting columns in the city centre from being demolished by the Conservative-run County Council’s contractor, Balfour Beatty.

We found out only this week that Balfour Beatty had forgotten to consult local councillors on the placement of columns in a few streets, including King Street.

This week a resident contacted Cllr Whitebread about one of the columns blocking the view of a plaque which is one of the features of the listed building at 90 King Street.

To quote from the details of the listing:

Dated 1790, but with some later alterations. Grey gault brick with red brick dressings. Two storeys, four windows to block, three light Gothic casements. Panelled Gothic doors. Pantiled roof. Two plaques commemorating Thomas Jakenett and his wife, the original foundation in 1469 and their present rebuilding in 1790 (RCHM 95).

All work was supposed to have been stopped while consultation takes place. Cllrs Rosenstiel and Whitebread are pursuing these matters.