The Firs, Church Grove - last chance to post a comment
Monday 31st January 2022
We were informed a couple of weeks ago by DCTechnicalSupport@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk (generic email for planning) that the end date for comments on this application is 1st February 2022.
Given the complexity and utter confusion over this application – the original, the changes and the current retrospective application – we contacted the planning department today to see whether there was any change to the date. Planning’s customer service desk didn’t know and we were told that all staff are working from home and are not contactable. Needless to say there is no closing date for comments shown on the relevant web page.
If you have concerns about the way this application has been handled and how the developers seem to have ignored the approval they were granted and gone off and built something quite different, we urge you to make a comment – see link at foot of article.
The HWA isn’t just concerned about the architectural vandalism that has happened here, we are also concerned about the dangerous precedent for future developments.
- Why were the developers allowed to go ahead and build something that varies so much from what was actually approved by the Planning Department?
- Why did the Planning Department do nothing to stop them given that the developers wrote to the Planners in August 2021?
- Why has the retrospective planning application only just, this January been posted? Despite this, the development has continued with the unapproved changes. Why was it not stopped?
- Why was the blatant disregard for the conservation area and surroundings allowed?
Many people might think that the gluing of fabricated tiles to the heritage brick wall is bordering on a criminal act. It is sheer vandalism. Directly opposite the grade II listed brick wall around Bushy Park with Home Park not much further away. This area is defined by fine old brick walls, not pre-fabricated slate tiles!
The original application was for an out of character building but the deviations taken by the developers – without permission – have resulted in a horrid box.
It even has windows and a balcony directly overlooking the playground of a children’s nursery.
