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Barracks chapel stands in way of Chelsea sports centre plan
Mira Bar-Hillel15 Jan 2009
PROPOSALS for a sports centre on the site of the former Chelsea Barracks could be scaled down if a Victorian chapel on the land is given listed status.
The former military chapel is the only part of the original 1862 building left, as work continues on turning the site into one of Britain's most expensive housing developments.
But property developers the Candy brothers and their Qatari backers have announced they may be forced to reduce their financial commitment to a £40million sports centre, as any listing of the chapel will add to construction costs.
The chapel is at the centre of the £3billion project for 640 flats and is due to be demolished to make way for a public park.
Residents want to keep the building, claiming it is London's last remaining military church.
English Heritage and the Bishop of London have backed them, recommending the Government give the place of worship listed status. If it is designated Grade II-listed, it could not be demolished or altered without specific consent.
Heritage Minister Barbara Follett is expected to make a final decision on the building in the next few weeks, but property firm Qatari Diar and Christian Candy's Guernsey-based CPC Group are hoping to dissuade her from protecting it. The Qataris argue that the chapel was deconsecrated in the early Nineties, after which it was used as a store room by the Ministry of Defence.
A spokesman for the developers said today: "It is certainly not, as has been alleged, the only remaining military church building in central London, as the 'spiritual home' of the Guards is in fact the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks."
The developers intend to use part of the proposed 2.5 acre park to commemorate the soldiers who served at Chelsea Barracks, and have appointed an award-winning designer to develop a suitable "memorial concept".
The idea for a memorial has been backed by the Guards themselves and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The Qatari spokesman said: "If the chapel is listed, we will need to review the content of the proposed scheme including the extent of community benefits that it can provide."
The chapel was not listed when the current owner paid nearly £1billion for the site in April 2007.
A revised application for the site, containing 320 private and 320 "affordable" flats will be submitted to Westminster council at the end of this month.
The original plans were revised after concerns about the height of buildings. Westminster told the developers to change plans for the 13-acre location so it would include a park and avoid damaging local views.
Nick and Christian Candy bought the site with plans to transform it into a "world class" housing estate, aimed at the wealthy looking for a base in the capital.
Reader views (11)
Phillistines. It is an interesting VIctorian building and there are plenty of property developments which include converted churches.
Candy Developments should employ an architect with a bit of imagination.
- Didgery Doo, St Mungo, 04/05/2009 12:15
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What is wrong with us in this country. Here we are in the midst of a recession and the naysayers still want to stand in teh way of progress. This is an exciting development for Londoners and we should revent in the regeneration benefits it will bring.
Let's not pretend that the Chelsea Barracks was ever an architectural icon. The remaining Church was deconsecrated decades ago and has never been worthy of a listing to date, so why now? For those wishing to savour a true piece of military history, we still have great buildings auch as St Clement Danes Church, which is a far more fitting tribute to our past.
- Simon, Clapham, London, 15/01/2009 15:39
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Haven't they ever seen "Monster Moves" - just trundle the chapel out of the way somewhere and get on with the building.
- Doug Reid, BArnet, 15/01/2009 14:34
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Let's have some more green spaces in London. There are plenty of other buildings more worthy of saving in London than what sounds like a mouldy old store room. Move on.
- Rob, London, 15/01/2009 14:34
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In the 10 years that I have been in London I have seen a similar scenario with many of London's oldest buildings. A current example involves plans to rip down the 150-year-old Hand & Racquet pub just off Leicester Square in the Odeon West redevelopment plan. That's just south of the Leicester Square NW corner where the Swiss Centre was recently demolished. Rip down. Rip down. Rip down. With the demolition of each building goes another part of the character of London. London councils think nothing about preserving heritage sites for future generations.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 15/01/2009 14:15
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In the light of the recent Obamamania for a moment I thought "Baracks Chapel" meant that it would be called "St Baraks" chapel.
Though I guess on second thoughts he's not just a Saint but the new Messiah.
- Johnse18, London, 15/01/2009 14:15
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And the building should be listed, period!
- Paddy, Kilburn, London UK, 15/01/2009 14:14
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The cultural destruction of the 70s is well and truly healthy, just walk through the city and see. And much of what is left is just a shell, the outside wall "saved" to hide the horrors of modern architecture. So very very sad.
- Stephen, London, 15/01/2009 14:03
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Once again, a shocking level of arrogance from the Candy's and their 'spokesmen'. The threat of not getting a sports centre if the chapel is retained is outragous, tantamount to low level blackmail and shows only contempt for the public. Get it listed, get them to retain it and incorprorate it as part of the devlopment proposals. I am certain that there will be enough money in the pot after 320 private multi million pound flats have been sold to fund a sports centre regardless of this small chapel. I hope the Mayor will show some backbone over this.
- Jack, The Village of London, 15/01/2009 13:31
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Absolutely correct, Joe, London.
- Robin, Brentford, UK, 15/01/2009 12:36
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This building should be listed, why are we defiling our build heritage for a few cheap and nasty flats. I thought the cultural destruction of the seventies was over. Surely a solution can be found to retain this building and still provide public space. Who gave the Candy brothers the right to defile the memory of our soldiers that fought for our freedom? Get it listed and show some imagination and respect.
- Joe, London, 15/01/2009 10:34
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