Row Over Bell & Crown Box Glass Extension Continues

Residents' association accuses Fuller's of 'flagrant disregard for planning law'

The row between Fuller's and the Strand on the Green Residents' Association (SoGA) over a controversial glass box extension is continuing.

Hounslow Council planners recommended that retrospective planning permission for the extension should be refused. SoGA then wrote Fuller's asking them not to consider appealing and instead to listen to the views of local residents in the Conservation area.

Fuller's is adamant that the new box was of the design that received planning consent from the council. SoGA says that the company is showing 'flagrant disregard for planning law'.

"It does Fuller's no favours to continue to pursue this line in the face of clear evidence to the contrary and to the continued displeasure of the local residents."

An image from the design on the planning application

In its latest letter to the brewing company, SoGA strongly refutes Fuller's continuing assertion that the current installation is in line with or even closely resembles the planning permission which has been granted for the replacement awning.

SoGA said that the planning permission granted in November 2018 for a replacement awning supported by two narrow pillers in white powder-coated alunimium. The application made no mention of glass nor of it being an enclosed structure. In July 2019 the permission was amended to three pillars rather than two. Again, there was no mention of glass or an enclosed structure.

"The continued claim that the glass is of a temporary nature carries no weight in justifying the structure and this has been assessed by Hounslow Council who have refused permission. I would suggest that someone on Fuller's side decided whether knowingly or not to install something which contravenes and goes significantly beyond the permission which has been granted.This has proven to be a serious and potentially costly error and represents a flagrant disregard for planning law.

"It is unclear as to whether Fuller's are deliberately seeking to deflect from the seriousness of the issue or are just being poorly advised but I would suggest that it does Fuller's no favours to continue to pursue this line in the face of clear evidence to the contrary and to the continued displeasure of the local residents."

SoGA said they would continue to pursue for the removal of the structure on the basis that it does not have planning permission. They want it removed and a replacement awning according with the permission granted to be installed.

They also suggested that the nearby Strand Cafe which is close to the Fuller's new headquarters in Pier House was a good example of a new retractable awning which SoGA believed would be in line with the planning permission granted.

The terrace as it looked previously

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 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.

March 22, 2020