Despite objections - RBK&C still plans to move the listed Venus Fountain
On
5 June the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea's
application to move the recently listed Venus Fountain will be
considered by its Planning Services Committee.
The relocation application was originally made despite a large number
of written objections (291 against and 7 for the relocation) in
order to make room for the crossroads planned to go through the middle
of the existing Square.
In a public consultation completed in March the Council's scheme was
rejected by a large majority (65% against) in favour of a
refurbishment proposed by Save Sloane Square to preserve and
enhance the existing layout.
'This on the face of it looks like a travesty of the democratic process,' says James Thompson, Chairmen of the Save Sloane Square campaign.
'If the
Council is still pressing for the relocation of the fountain on
the specific condition that it should be done as part of
their rejected improvement scheme, it could easily be interpreted
as a signal that it intends to renege on its commitments. 'We have
asked them repeatedly for confirmation of their intention and timing of
the refurbishment works but to date we have not received any
definitive reply. We urge the
Council not to fly in the face of the democratic process by pressing
ahead with the reviled crossroads scheme, '
Click here for RBKC's application Number LB/06/02874/MNW
