Fight goes on to save St George's Church

Developers Barratt accused of being 'grave robbers'

Campaigners fighting to save St George's Church, until recently the home of the Musical Museum, are appealing for help in their fight against Barratt Homes' plans for the site.

Developers Barratt submitted a planning application to demolish St George's Church and replace it with 19 apartments, in keeping with the new Capital West development that now surrounds the church. This application was refused by the Hounslow Council Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) but Barratt have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against that decision.

Many local individuals and groups protested successfully to convince the SDC Brentford does not need to demolish it's heritage to satisfy the desires of the developers.

"Developers have ample opportunity to construct literally thousands of apartments within two miles of St George's Church. But these large sites are not enough for the profit margins of the developers, no. There wasn't even a plan for suitable re-use of St George's Church - the planning application only considered demolition - obviously more profitable to demolish than to re-use" one of the campaign team told us.

"No they will put profit before the remains of the 2299 deceased buried in the church grounds which was planned to be an underground car park, and before the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) along with other planning statements listing St George's Church as a Landmark building. Then they will take the Council to task when they don't get their way. If the Council can't protect the heritage of Brentford then who can?"

Any additional information you feel could help to save the church quoting 00607/367-368/P10 to arrive by 19 April 2005 to:

Rachel Owen
The Planning Inspectorate
Room 3/14 Eagle Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN

10 May 2004

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