Blandford Cemetery wall and chapels win listed status

The wall, which was built in the mid 1800s and borders some residential properties, has been damaged by the roots of several lime and sycamore trees

A Victorian cemetery wall has been saved from demolition after a Dorset resident succeeded in having it listed by Historic England.

Madeleine Bridle said the wall, which runs behind gardens in a cul-de-sac, was "integral" to Blandford Forum.

The town council had decided to replace the section with a wooden fence due to its poor condition.

Historic England said the entire wall, cemetery gateway and two chapels had been granted a Grade ll listing.

Historic England said the wall, cemetery gateway and two chapels "form a significant group"

The wall, which was built in the mid-1800s, has been damaged by the roots of several lime and sycamore trees which are subject to preservation orders, Blandford Town Council said.

The authority said it had made a failed attempt to list the chapels following an arson attack in September 2013.

It had planned to replace the wall with a wooden fence at a cost of £13,525, some of which would be offset by the sale of the bricks.

Ms Bridle, who lodged the application, said: "Why should we sell town property?"

"We don't want a fence replacing this beautiful 19th Century brick wall.

"It is integral to the character of the town."

The council said a previous attempt by the authority to list the chapels, following an arson attack in September 2013, failed

Blandford town clerk Linda Scott-Giles said the wall would now be preserved.

She said a builder originally contracted to repair one section had given an estimate of £150,000 to rebuild the entire wall.

She said: "This is money we do not have. I don't know what we're going to do.

"We may have to put buttresses in people's gardens, but that's not something residents will want."