Locals Ask Fuller's To Remove Bell & Crown Box Glass Extension

'Astonished' a reputable Chiswick company could build such an 'insensitive structure'

The Strand on the Green Residents' Association (SoGA) has written to Fuller's requesting the company to remove the controversial glass box extension which fronts onto the river.

Last week Hounslow Council planners recommended that retrospective planning permission for the extension should be refused. SoGa has now written to Fuller's asking them not to consider appealing and instead to listen to the views of local residents in the Conservation area. Their letter states;

"Local residents have vigorously expressed their astonishment that a reputable and long term Chiswick company of Fuller's standing should have authorised the installation of such an insensitive structure at the Bell & Crown on the historic river frontage totally out of character with the Strand on the Green Conservation Area and at a time when they are about to move into their new headquarters in Pier House one of the finest local office buildings.

"Your retrospective planning application has been recommended for REFUSAL.

"You will be aware that SoGA campaigned for and succeeded in having the Planning Inspectorate comprehensively reject an Appeal last year for a permanent two residential houseboat moorings at Steam Packet Steps in front of Pier House on the basis that it was out of character with the Conservation Area. Quote from the Decision : "...it is clear that great weight should be given to the conservation of heritage assets irrespective of the level of harm identified”

"May I respectfully suggest that you now take account of local opinion do not proceed to Appeal and remove the box and it's structure in its entirety.

SoGa suggested that an alternative remains for Fuller's to revert to that original application to provide additional eating space on the first floor terrace

The residents' group wrote to Fuller's last December December to complain that the original plans "bear no resemblance to the finished product."

Fuller's replied that the new box was the design that received planning consent from the council.

A council planning official has recommended that the application be refused on the grounds that it would 'cause harm to the character and appearance of the building, and the Strand on the Green Conservation Area'.

The company can appeal against the decision to turn down the retrospective application.

An image from the design on the planning application

The pub, which is located at Thames Road, Strand on the Green, was first licensed as The Bell & Crown in 1787 and was acquired by Fullers in 1814 and rebuilt in 1907. It is now owned by the pub operating company rather than the Brewery which was sold to Asahi last year.

The terrace as it looked previously

The conservation area statement of 2006 says that the present public house was built in 1907 and had a small shop embedded in it, originally a butcher. It is well detailed in the Arts and Craft style with original metal windows and tall chimneys.

The pub is not listed though it was thought that designation might be changed at some point due to its well preserved architectural quality and style.

February 20, 2020