22nd November 2025 – Salisbury Journal – Leaden Hall decision reversed by Salisbury City Council

‘Leaden Hall decision reversed by Salisbury City Council’ Letter to the Editor, by Salisbury resident, Lloyd Slater.

A letter commending Salisbury City Council for voting against the planning proposals for Leaden Hall, and for aligning their stance with public opinion, warnings from statutory consultees and with the Salisbury Neighbourhood plan. The letter notes that no representative of the Dean & Chapter attended the Council meeting, so questions about the long-running neglect of a building in their care continue to go unanswered. The writer remarked on the… ‘dangerous precedent…of rewarding neglectful owners of listed properties by rubber-stamping their development proposals…’

Full text here Leaden Hall decision reversed by Salisbury City Council | Salisbury Journal

It is unbelievable that this historic, beautiful building was ever allowed to fall into disrepair. Changing it into a modern office block is totally inappropriate and sets a dangerous precedent for other historic buildings in The Close.

Susie V.

The proposal is neither in keeping with Leadenhall nor its surrounding environment. I hope the planning committee will see this and reject this application. The fact that Leadenhall has been allowed to decay into its present condition is scandalous.

Simon M.

It is hard to believe that a beautiful Georgian building should have been allowed to deteriorate as it has. The intimate link with Constable is something that should be treasured not trashed.

Malcolm C.

This place was not just a school – but a home – for so many of us who were fortunate enough to board at Leaden Hall throughout the years. Such a magical place should be preserved.

Ophelia W.

Planning rules require a public good and there is none that justifies these destructive plans.

Terry B.

This was a perfectly nice school before the dimwits in frocks over the road decided to kill it. Now they should be sued for not maintaining it, let alone be allowed to knock it around like this. There is something very rotten in this diocese; in the Middle Ages, the Dean and Bishop would have been included in a fresco depicting the torment of the damned.

Nicholas B.

I taught there for 17 years, after becoming the first male to teach at Leaden Hall in its 50 year history. It has a special place in my affections.

David W.

I appreciate the historical value and have personal memories as I attended school there in 1951-53