A BBC Wiltshire report on the concerns of the Salisbury Cathedral Close Preservation Society about the impact of eight years of neglect on Leaden Hall, proposals to turn it into an office for the Dean & Chapter and to construct an archive building in the grounds. A Preservation Society Trustee commented that
‘…There are fine plaster ceilings on the floor, there is green and black slime inside on the walls and the staircases…’. Behind the hall’s 19th century walled garden ‘…you’ve got the view of the trees that were painted by Constable and that entire kitchen garden will be obliterated, as will the view because there will be a huge archive building towering above the wall, and the views across the water meadows will be lost…’
The report went on to record the Society’s view that the site is ‘…an important cultural icon…’ because of the paintings made by Constable of Leaden Hall and its surroundings. As such, they suggest that the site should be open to the public and the views preserved.
Full article here Fear new office may ‘obliterate’ Salisbury Cathedral Constable’s view – BBC News