Protest Over Expansion of 'Ugliest Building'

2.25.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Mar 2009

Plans have been submitted to the Council for adding another storey to a building - Park Gate Court - which overlooks Bushy Park and is described by amenity groups as already 'the highest building in Hampton', apart from the Parish Church, and one of the ugliest.

The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks and The Royal Parks, which manages Bushy Park, have made strong protests against the proposal which will add over 10ft to a building which is already two storeys bigger than adjacent buildings and is very unattractive with aerials on top.

Vincent Cable has written in support of the amenity groups. "Bushy Park and Hampton Court are priceless and timeless amenities which must not be undermined by crude and insensitive development. Local residents are stopped from making loft extensions or other development in high amenity areas which are far less obtrusive than is being proposed here. I am confident that this application will not get very far."