UK Councils Reject Demolition Plans for Fire-Damaged Historic Sites in Dawlish, Brighton

Two notable planning applications to demolish historic buildings damaged by fire have been refused in England due to concerns over heritage and redevelopment plans. In Dawlish, Teignbridge District Council rejected a proposal to demolish Fairfield House, a derelict manor ravaged by arson in 2018, and build three homes, citing adverse effects on the open countryside's character and lack of adequate visibility without harming a mature oak tree. Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove City Council refused a retrospective application by Britannia Hotels to demolish part of the Grade II-listed Royal Albion Hotel, which was severely damaged by fire in 2023. The council emphasized there were no plans for replacing the demolished section, leading to substantial harm to the city's heritage and creating an unsightly gap in a prominent location within the Valley Gardens Conservation Area. Furthermore, the loss of a hotel in Brighton's "hotel core zone" was an additional reason for refusal, with Historic England confirming the hotel would not be delisted. Both cases highlight the challenges of balancing safety and redevelopment with heritage preservation in fire-damaged historic properties.