It’s been some years, but the place is quite different. Flat and angled roofs have been replaced with plain pitched, the timber shiplap fascia boards are mostly gone now, and there are a lot of upvc windows and doors: very common in this coastal north. The perception is that it lasts longer and is more weatherproof than timber, but the evidence for that is shaky at best. The unique architectural look of Peterlee newtown seems much diminished.
The Pasmore parkland is lovely, well tended, litter-free, immaculate garden areas: not a single tag or splodge of aerosol, no discarded trolleys or lost pushchairs. It’s a credit to Easington District Council, who perhaps didn’t have the wherewithall to remove the thing. They might well have seen the value of retaining such a unique piece of work, but it’s not listed, so the dynamite preferrers may yet have their way. More to come.
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4 Comments
Fascinating stuff. A love it or hate it. Beautiful photographs.
Yes, it’s engrossing.
Yesterday morning one of the locals accosted me, with an empassioned rant about the thing. Strong feelings invoked by the sight of complete strangers on their doorsteps taking photies – just seems to add to the sense of injury.
What I wonder is, it’s been there as long as the houses. So why live there if it’s so despised? It’s not like new modern chunks of ‘regeneration’ public art that are put up years later. I dunno if I could stand being cross like that every time I looked out of the kitchen window.
I can quite see why people don’t like it though. Looks even less humane in b&w.
I’ve been meaning to get up there to visit this for an age! I really must come up your way.
Seems to me this structure gets people animated in the same way that Park Hill flats in Sheffield does. I love them both.
Please do: it would be lovely to see you again.
Some of us were thinking of a visit to photograph the Park Hill flats as part of this series. I agree, they are very spectacular. And on the subject of brutalist spectacular: the Owen Luder Gateshead Car Park is coming down soon, so you might want to think about getting here before it closes. Photos on brendadada.com.