| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:In defence of Alpha (St Alban's Acton Green) | |
| Posted by: | Peter Evans | |
| Date/Time: | 19/01/16 13:06:00 |
| Mr Wylie suggests that ‘the vast majority of those campaigning to save the building for the community did so in full recognition that it would be used in future as both a church... and a community hub.’ My recollection was that several alternative independent proposals emerged when plans to convert the building into housing and improve the nursery school were on the table. As the planning inspector said: ‘The Council became aware of a growing… range of persons and organisations wishing to see the site retained for community use’. ‘A considerable number of local groups... submitted evidence and appeared at the inquiry to indicate an interest and willingness to use the redundant church building for continued community use. These featured a number of church communities who are actively looking for places of worship..’ ‘Other witnesses sought to use the building for theatre, free school or general community use. I was very impressed (wrote the inspector) by both the number and diversity of such potential occupiers and their justification for seeking to utilise St. Albans... whether for continued worship, more general community activity, school or theatre use.’ ‘Several also stated that the redevelopment of the nursery school to an acceptable standard would also form an integral part of their plans.’ Among those giving evidence at the planning enquiry were representatives of several broadly secular community interests, such as a free school, a theatre group and the Montessori nursery, as well as the Russian and Armenian churches who were looking for accommodation. Not among those making representations nor attending the 5 day enquiry was anyone from Christ Church Turnham Green. Their involvement emerged some time later, and as they could bring greater resources to the project they could succeed where the other underfunded community proposals never could, which is ironic, as it was the weight of all the other proposals that stopped the residential development in the first place, allowing Christ Church to move in. Christ Church might well be making St Albans available for community use, but I imagine this will always be subservient to their main purpose as a place of worship and a centre for evangelism. I still feel it’s misleading to suggest that this was what most people were campaigning for all along. |