Said verbal petition was listened to, courteously …and promptly ignored, with no Planning Member speaking to support the suggestion! After the clowns left there was much shaking of heads by both Labour & Lib Dem Members (there was no Tory, or other, Cllr involvement!)

Separately, I took a very active interest in the refenestration of the (then still predominantly Council-owned) Navigation Rd/Rosemary Court/Rosemary Place flats.

Oh how York’s precious planning officers (clutching Pevsner’s Guide to their breasts as if it were Chairman Mao’s ‘little red book!) clung to Pevsner’s apparent admiration (expressed in said guide) of this conventional enough 1930s Local Authority development – essentially a barrack-block on Navigation Road.
Pevsner commented on the (fine) detailing of the openings (doors and/or windows) …which led to an architectural liaison officer to describe it, in writing, (meaninglessly!) as ‘Neo-Georgian.

I phoned this woman and asked if CYC pressurised the owners to punch a 6 x 4 hole, then inserting a window to fit, in the Peasholme Green end of Stonebow House …would that make IT also ‘Neo-Georgian’?

Sadly, brain in retrograde direction, said Council Officer (= ‘official’) responded that in her opinion …it WOULD.

To which my response was (and remains!) …’I rest my case!’

Am STILL unsure which is the sadder tale!

I had heard the ‘listed building’ urban myth before but always had my doubts.

The other thing I heard was that’s it meant to look a bit like a prow of a ship. Another myth ?!

It is a part of local folklore, helped no doubt by the fact it contains both Fibbers and The Duchess. I think I’d be sad to see it go.