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Anger at ‘fortress’ St Mark’s
CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to stop the Church of England erecting “fortress”-style iron gates outside a historic Mayfair church.
Planners at Westminster City Council ignored pleas from hundreds of members of the Save
St Mark’s Action Group to approve the gates outside grade-I listed St Mark’s Church in North Audley Street.
Planning committee members were persuaded gates were needed as a security measure to stop homeless people bedding down on the church steps.
The decision comes as a blow to the campaign group headed by supermarket heiress Lady Sainsbury that is fighting to stop the building being transformed into a health spa. The council’s ruling to throw out plans for the spa, complete with café and plunge pools, will be the subject of a public inquiry set for October.
Kirk Mitchell from Save St Mark’s said: “The gates decision is absolutely appalling. Ever since it was built St Mark’s has been open to the public. Now it’s being turned into a private fortress. It’s the symbolism of the gates that’s so abhorrent but we will keep fighting this until the inquiry.”
Responsibility for the building still falls to the Diocese of London, which plans to enter a lease agreement with developer George Hammer, upon receiving planning permission. |
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