Dear all,

Many thanks to those who have written in to object to the retrospective planning application to Runnymede Borough Council! 

The planning application will go to Planning Committee for final decision so all comments, even if after the formal deadline, will be summarized in the Officer Report up to and including on the day of the Planning Committee meeting (not yet known - could be weeks or months ahead). 

So your voice still matters! If you haven't already written in an objection, please consider to do so! The more objectors we have the greater we can represent the outrage at the significant harm to this historic building at committee. The planning department of Runnymede can only consider objections which are written in directly.

Planning Application RU.23/1639 link

To object to this planning application please email:

planning@runnymede.gov.uk

reference: RU.23/1639 Christ Church Longcross

You will need to include your full name and postal address but this will be redacted online. 

Sample of Written Objections so far:

"Alteration of the position of the stained glass designs: The applicant has not restored the windows to their original position, significantly impacting on the original intent of the designer. For example, glass from the top of the original three-light window on the West elevation has been moved to the bottom of a window on a side elevation (see attached image). The image is an angel holding a crown. Originally this was symbolically above the image of Christ in the central light of the West window, but it has now been detached from this design and has lost its original meaning within the scheme."

"It is extremely disappointing that in an era when conservation and respect for architectural heritage is supposed to be integral to the planning processes, that this case demonstrates a complete failure in the protection, and sympathetic treatment, of this historic stained glass."

"The window has been treated terribly, ruining not only the aesthetic but also the craftsmanship, effort and history have been run roughshod. The disrespect is horrible, clearly simply to save a few pounds. This indicates a total lack of respect for the nature of the conversion. I thoroughly object."

"Please look at the photographs and tell me if anyone should be allowed to vandalise the beautiful stained-glass windows? It is simply an outrage."

"I have a very strong association with Christ Church Longcross. This has been the family church for many generations. What a sad state of affairs it would be if a developer can get away with this. So disappointed and hurt for my family past and present all others affected by this outrageous and blatant disregarding for a grade listed building and the allowed plans which have now just been ignored."

"The plastic windows that have been installed are completely out of keeping with this beautiful building: a Grade II listed former church should be treated sympathetically as outline in the original planning applications. Otherwise what is the point of the property being listed? It makes a mockery of the system. This historic building should be protected at all costs."

"Is there no qualifying Architect / Planning Officer in your department that can visit this site to appraise the butchery taking place here regarding the modifying of this wonderful old church into apartments. Who, in their right mind, would give planning consent to white uPVC windows in a Grade 2 listed building in the first place?"

"The loss of the original stained glass windows and the reduction in size of the replacements plus use of UPC to replace stained glass represents a real loss to the character of the building and its environment. In my view the changes represent a real loss to the community and should not be allowed."

"The church was a grade II listed building, one of only two in the area. The beautiful windows, now cut up and ruined have ghastly thick white PVC frames: atrocious. This should not have been done. It is not acceptable. It should not be granted permission. The windows should be restored to their former glory."

"I am writing to object to the retrospective planning application for Christ Church Longcross. What has happened is a clear case of vandalism to a historic, listed building which is mentioned in Pevsner's The Buildings of England. The best course of action would be to demand that the developer restores what s/he has decided is a good idea to destroy."

Please add your voice and thank you for your support!

fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com