Architects who’ve watched English Heritage’s decline — from a body staffed with experts to an organisation more interested in promoting fun days out to its historic properties — may agree with Piers Gough’s view that it’s extended its remit too far.

But his comments are ill timed.

While EH has not found success fighting plans for new towers in London, the public inquiry into the future of Smithfield is where it could finally shine. The buildings in question are not listed, but together with those that are, Smithfield and its surroundings streets form one of London’s most precious historic quarters, one where its takes little imagination to conjure up the cloth and cattle markets, tournaments and jousts, and even the public executions which took place there. No one wants those back of course, but neither should we allow the market to be replaced by yet another office scheme.

The City of London had its reasons for not asking Simon Thurley to its dinner last week — after all, it owns these buildings — but EH has every right to say it shouldn’t be allowed to pull them down.

EH fury as Gough says it's a "bad judge" of architecture

NEWS: EH chief Thurley hits back after Gough calls for heritage body to be stripped of its planning powers