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The Scottish Stained Glass Symposium isl asking for help in preventing an important Douglas Srachan War memorial window having it's light blocked by a new building being planned, the planning application had been rejected but is now in appeal. Details follow and windows are shown on a separate page here.
Dear SSGS Members and Friends,
I have been approached for help by St Andrew's UR Church, Frognal Lane, Hamstead, London.
Please see my two attached letters which give the information you need.
The planning application, which was turned down, was for a proposed five storey block of flats that would rob the last Douglas Strachan window in London (A 4-light War Memorial Window) of its light. The windows can be seen here.
I know you are busy people, but please email briefly opposing the Development and objecting to the Appeal. Your emails or online comments must reach the recipient by 4th November - that's this week! Here is one possible suggested text to guide you; or create your own using concepts in my attached letters further down: (Click on Read More)
Dear Sirs, APPEAL TO THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Ref: APP/X5210/A11/2160566 St Andrew's United Reformed Church, Frognal Road/Finchley Road, London, NW3 7DY War Memorial in stained glass by Douglas Strachan (1875-1950) (One Work of Art, consisting of two lancet windows each with two lights) I write to express my extreme concern at the proposal to construct a five storey development on the north side of St Andrew's URC, NW3 7DY, thereby robbing the magnificent Douglas Strachan War Memorial stained glass windows of their natural light. This seems to be a shocking case of failure to appreciate the environmental, cultural and community heritage of the area around St Andrew's Church, and I would urge those considering this case to review the proposal urgently in order to safeguard a priceless part of our cultural heritage for future generations. It is self-evident that a stained glass window is designed to function according to its location and associated quality of light. This planning application materially changes the context for which Douglas Strachan designed the windows and should therefore should be rejected or modified until a proposal arises which properly takes into account the environment in which it is to be constructed. Yours faithfully |
The Reference needed is APP/X5210/A11/2160566
Please send your email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;
or comments can be sent online to www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal
Or write first class (post byTuesday 2nd November) to: The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/19 Eagle, Temple Quay House, 2, The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN
We are not on the spot to mount a protest. We have to shout to be heard. Many small voices make one mighty roar. PLEASE HELP.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Alison
(Mrs) Alison Robertson
Honorary Secretary
The Scottish Stained Glass Symposium (SSGS) and
The Scottish Stained Glass Trust (SSGT), Scottish Charity SC039375
3 Ross Gardens
EDINBURGH
EH9 3BS
Tel 0131 662 9025
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
THE SCOTTISH STAINED GLASS SYMPOSIUM Scottish Charity No. SC039375 Convener: Prof. John R. Hume, OBE 3 Ross Gardens Tel. 0131 662 9025 31st October 2011
By post to The Planning Inspectorate Room 3/19 Eagle BS1 6PN Also by email, fao Case Officer, Kate Hole This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dear Ms Hole,
1. I am Mrs Alison M Robertson, Honorary Secretary of The Scottish Stained Glass Symposium and the Scottish Stained Glass Trust, on behalf of whose members (more than 200 individuals and organisations) I write. My address is 3 Ross Gardens, Edinburgh, EH9 3BS, Scotland, UK. 2. Planning Appeal Reference Number: 2160566 3. Address of Appeal Site: 252 Finchley Road, London, NW3 7AA 4. We are strongly opposed to the Appeal Proposal by Gapland Limited. 5. Our Comments are attached in a separate document. 6. We agree wholeheartedly with the Local Planning Authority (The London Borough of Camden) in their refusal to grant permission for the original application. Yours sincerely, Mrs Alison M Robertson Honorary Secretary, The Scottish Stained Glass Symposium and Trust Comments, as at 5. above are attached/enclosed |
Comments for the attention of the Inspector-to accompany letter of Objection to Planning Appeal Planning Appeal by Gapland Limited: Reference Number 2160566. 1. I attach/enclose a copy of my letter sent previously on 14th March 2011 which contains information to enable an understanding of the outstanding stained glass War Memorial Window (1922) by the very distinguished artist Douglas Strachan in St Andrew’s UR Church, which is very close to the proposed development site and would be overshadowed by it. It seems that information we received led to our submitting this letter under the heading of St Andrews United Reformed Church instead of under 252 Finchley Road, London, NW3 7AA. This repeat Send is in case that earlier letter went astray and did not end up in the file for 252 Finchley Road. 2. Our particular concern is with respect to this 1st World War Memorial Window, which is, without a doubt, the finest 1st World War Memorial in stained glass in the whole of London. As indicated before, all other buildings in London with stained glass by Douglas Strachan were lost during bombing raids in the 2nd World War. Douglas Strachan is one of the two most outstanding Scottish stained glass artists of all time, whose creative art and craft skills are the equal of the best anywhere in Europe. 3. We stress that to enable a full understanding of the nature and outstanding quality of this stained glass Memorial inside the church, it is essential that the Inspector view and inspect the windows carefully from inside the church. This experience would also bring home to the Inspector just how vital it is for this War Memorial to retain its full quota of light, as at present. 4. This seems to be a shocking case of failure to appreciate the environmental, cultural and community heritage of the area around St Andrew's Church, and we would urge those considering this case to review the proposal urgently, in order to safeguard a priceless part of our cultural heritage for future generations. It is self-evident that a stained glass window is designed to function according to its location and associated quality of light. This planning application materially changes the context for which Douglas Strachan designed the windows and should therefore be rejected or modified until a proposal arises which properly takes into account the environment in which it is to be constructed. 5. In a period of history that is fraught by many wars, with British soldiers suffering heavy casualties, War Memorials are taking on an ever larger and new significance in the minds of the public. Such memorials were often raised by public subscription and are generally held in great esteem. It is wholly inappropriate for Developers, and/or Local Planning Authorities to deprive the public of such memorials without respecting their views and feelings. With Remembrance Day just around the corner, this particular proposed development, with its apparently cavalier attitude to tangible and intangible heritage of the highest order, seems particularly callous. 6. It has been unsatisfactory for the management of our submission that so far, we have been unable to access The London Borough of Camden's online Site at http:/planningrecords.camden.gov.uk with reference to the refused Planning Application 2010/6836/P and later Appeal. We gather that the site has been having some technical difficulties, so that access to it has so far failed for many of us. This scarcely creates a level playing field when it comes to our making our case against this Appeal proposal. I confirm that we agree with the London Borough of Camden in refusing the original application, and we strongly oppose the Appeal. Yours sincerely, Alison M Robertson, Honorary Secretary, The Scottish Stained Glass Symposium and Trust |
THE SCOTTISH STAINED GLASS SYMPOSIUM Scottish Charity No. SC039375 Convener: Prof. John R. Hume, OBE 3 Ross Gardens Tel. 0131 662 9025 14th March 2011 Committee Services Dear Sir/Madam, Proposed five storey Development on the north side of St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Frognal Road/Finchley Rd, London War Memorial in stained glass by Douglas Strachan (1875-1950): (two lancet windows; four lights) For the meeting of the Development Control Committee on Thursday 17th March 2011 I write on behalf of our Chairman Professor John Hume, OBE and members of The Scottish Stained Glass Symposium and Trust to express our serious concerns at this proposal.
I realise that not every one involved in this application, including the developer, may have had any real awareness of the importance of these two Strachan windows. I hope that the foregoing points will enable a better understanding of why they are so important, and why the feelings against the new development are so strong. I trust that they will be given the consideration and respect that they deserve, and that every effort will be made to find an alternative way forward that does not include the building of a five storey building at this place and time. Thank you for your attention. Yours sincerely, Alison M. Robertson Hon Secretary, the Scottish Stained Glass Symposium and The Scottish Stained Glass Trust cc. Donald Macarthur, St Andrew’s Church |
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