An application has been made to demolish Kingston Barn, a 17th century Grade II-listed building in Shoreham.

After years of neglect by the owners it is in a poor state of repair, so they sold it to a developer knowing that the cost of restoration would run into many thousands of pounds.

So now the developer wants to knock it down and build houses.

Who was the owner of the building during those years of neglect? Adur District Council.

Who carries the responsibility of monitoring listed buildings in that area and ensuring that owners are kept up to the mark? Adur District Council. They seemed to have monitored themselves and failed.

Kingston Barn stands in St Julian's Lane, Kingston Buci, part of a cluster of five listed buildings that includes the Church of St Julian, The Old Rectory and Shoreham College, together with an 18th century ruined dovecote, also Grade II-listed - "included" said the Department for Culture, Media and Sport "for group value". In other words, the historical value of these buildings is greater because they stand in proximity to each other.

Will Adur District Council now fail again and permit a listed building to be destroyed and part of an historic cluster to disappear?

  • Tony and Bronwen Vinicombe, Nicolson Drive, Shoreham