Thanks to your support we have won the first battle. The City Council is to issue an Article 4 Direction. This means that the historic status of the buildings has been acknowledged and planning permission will have to be sought for any alterations to the 122-132 Belgrave Gate & 1 Garden Street. At the time of writing, there are 186 objections lodged with the City Council. The Mayor, Peter Soulsby, has been to look at the buildings and he tells me that an Article 4 Direction is to be made. This means that the proposed demolition will not happen. However, the future of these buildings still remains uncertain. Since they are owned privately, it is possible that their neglect could continue unless action is taken. Discussions will need to take place with the owner to find a secure future for this historic site. What is an Article 4 Direction? Article 4 directions are used to control works that could threaten the character of an area of acknowledged importance, such as a conservation area. They can increase the public protection of heritage assets and their settings and can be used to require planning permission for the demolition of a heritage asset outside of a conservation area by removing the demolition rights. Government guidance says that local authorities should consider making article 4 directions only in exceptional circumstances where the exercise of permitted development rights would harm local amenity, the historic environment or the proper planning of the area. (source: English Heritage)