Barnes under threat?

Map of brownfield sites | Questions answered | Contacts | Planning applications | Council's role

Barnes – a wake-up call

The Barnes Community Association was created thirty-four years ago, partly the result of a developer’s attempt to demolish Rose House to make way for a supermarket. Direct action, in that local residents banded together to buy the property, solved the problem. Since then, the BCA has remained actively involved in helping to keep Barnes a green and pleasant place to live. Change is a fact of life, and we do not wish to keep Barnes preserved in aspic, nor do we demonise responsible development. But, led by the Council and its planners, we do expect due account to be taken of the need to maintain the existing mix of retail and other amenities as far as is possible. This applies both to Council planners and to developers. Whenever there is planning gain, let it benefit all of us.

Small shops are the lifeblood of Barnes, but they are as subject to the power of market forces as anyone else. They have no divine right to exist, and need to help themselves, but throughout the UK they are facing particular pressures, both from large rent increases, and from the inexorable rise of supermarkets. Here in Barnes, and seemingly all of a sudden, large areas behind our High Street and elsewhere are facing development plans which could well change the face of our village in a way for which we are not fully prepared. (See map below.)

We at the BCA feel that any backland development must respect the feel and scale of Barnes. You may ask ‘what can we do?’ The answer is to make your voices heard – talk to us and write to us, and to the local papers, your Councillors and your MP. Join the BCA – the stronger the Association, the stronger your voice. When particular planning applications come in, register your specific comments on them. Please also be sure to shop locally whenever you can.

Planning regulations often appear to favour the developer – but there are boundaries – and we as a community can certainly have some influence on overall Council policy in these sometimes grey and technical areas. We have two aims in this matter: one is to influence Council medium-term planning policy for Barnes and the other is to scrutinise planning applications to make sure they are sensitive and low-key, avoiding the larger retail units. We will do all this while remaining, as ever, resolutely non-political. Please be fully aware of the consequences of apathy and inaction. We will work with all other local groups which share our views, and will keep you posted.

David Stott, BCA Chairman

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The map below shows the brownfield sites adjacent to Barnes High Street

Click on a button to see a photo of the area

Map: Robert Martin
Click on a button to see a photo of the area (for a printable pdf version of the map and photos, click HERE)

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Some questions answered....

What is a brownfield site?
The derelict lands behind the shops in the High Street are considered to be ‘brownfield sites’, i.e. land on which industrial or commercial activity took place in the past and which may need to be cleaned up before redevelopment – see map above.

Why have the Grafton Gallery and the two adjoining small shops in Grange Road closed?
We understand the leases were not renewed. It has been bought by one developer who applied and has got planning permission to make the premises into one large area, with new flats above. Council planning officers seem satisfied that this will be in keeping with the area. This site can be redeveloped within the building footprint, just like we can redevelop our own properties, but would need an application for change of use from small shops to, say, a restaurant. 

Is this not a Conservation Area?
The conservation map in this area is difficult to define.  It is evidently not within its parameters.

What about the old pubs?
The Sun is protected. The Coach and Horses (27, Barnes High St) is protected by the conservation area but there is a brownfield site adjacent and, as far as we know, the frontage will be retained with proposed additions. We understand that a planning application has been received from the owners, Young’s Brewery, and the Richmond Housing Partnership but, again, this is a brownfield site and subject to restrictions of height, use, etc. Permission is being sought for the back of Claridge House (the detached building next to the Coach and Horses) to be demolished and consent sought for a new retail space plus eight two-storey ‘residential units’.

What can we do?
Nobody can wish for the brownfield sites in this area to be left undeveloped. We simply want any development to be sensitive to and in keeping with its ‘village-like’ surroundings. We must watch the planning applications in the local paper, keep a constant watch on Richmond Council’s website and object to everything we don’t like. In doing this, we can’t just say that we don’t like it but must give reasons – density, height, unsuitable for the area, potential parking congestion and traffic problems, etc.

Join the BCA – for only £8 a year. The BCA Environment Group tries to monitor these developments but it is essential that residents keep watch too and contact the Council and the BCA if they do not like what changes are proposed. The number of complaints received by the Council does make a difference. Emphasise your support for a generally low-key development but your opposition to a mixture of high rise flats, offices and shops overshadowing the existing buildings. If there is a public enquiry into any developments that affect your own property make sure that you attend and make your voice heard.

The problem with the two main developers who seem to be concentrating on Barnes village is that they keep submitting plans which, when turned down, are resubmitted, often with minor alterations. This means constant vigilance on the part of concerned residents.

The BCA will try to keep you in touch via Prospect and this website, but we need your input as well.

Whom should we contact?
Contact details for the local MP, Richmond Council and local Councillors are given below.

Susan Boyd and Sally Holloway

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