2008-01-31
The uncertain future of Bentley Priory
A sad controversy is developing around the fate of RAF Bentley Priory near Stanmore in northern London. The grandiose and historically significant estate, owned by the RAF since 1926 and most remembered as Air Chief Marshal Dowding's Command Headquarters during the Battle of Britain, has been sold. The buyer is the development company VSM Estates which has the intention of converting the mansion to luxury apartments. Further residential buildings are planned in its gardens.
RAF Bentley Priory Officers' Mess [Photo Gme7]
The three remaining RAF lodgers at Bentley Priory - the Defence Aviation Safety Centre (DASC), the Air Historical Branch and RAF Ceremonial are scheduled to move to Northolt in February 2008 and the possession vacated by the end of April.
Formal closing ceremony of RAF Bentley Priory, 19 July 2007 [Photo David Whiting]
Many of the Battle of Britain veterans and aviation enthusiasts, including the family of ACM Dowding, expressed their grave disappointment by the fact that what they consider to be the spiritual home of the RAF will be lost to future generations. In their opinion, the historic significance of the place justifies its continued use as a national heritage museum. Sadly, this possibility seems to have evaded MoD's attention prior to the sale. Consequently, the issue is being processed as an afterthought between the MoD, the new owner of the premises and the local planning authority.
A group of pilot veterans have set up the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust (BPBBT) under the chairmanship of Air Chief Marshal Brian Burridgewith, with the target of at least saving the ground floor of the mansion as a museum and retaining Dowding's wartime office. Of course, these plans contradict with financial interests of VSM Estates and may not go down too well with those who wish to buy the proposed luxury apartments. For example, VSM has already expressed their requirement for "completely soundproofing" the museum premises.
Regardless of the conflict of interests, the museum initiative would require considerable funding. Just basic maintenance of the mansion was costing the MoD an estimated £200,000 annually, not including a serious repair work which is needed. Setting up a museum requires additional modifications to allow public access, insurance cover, security and fire equipment and salaries of staff - a dauting financial task without a government commitment.
As of today, discussions continue between local planning authority (Harrow Borough Council), the Trust, the RAF Museum and VSM Estates in order to identify a comprehensive solution. There are still no binding decisions for "what form any future development might take, or the level of public access that might be possible."
Interest of the media for the matter has been rather small, with the exception of the recent article in Daily Telegraph.
I would like you to have your say in this matter. How imporant is it to preserve Bentley Priory as a museum? Is the Trust's battle meaningful? I promise to forward all responses to this post to the interested parties should you wish to support their stand. You can use the Leave your comment link below to post your voice directly at this page.
Labels: history
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posted by
Anonymous on 01-Feb-2008 20:56:00
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The news about Bentley Priory is most distressing. It is an historic site, which should be preserved as such, lest future generations forget.
- Nick Spillane , Montreal
posted by
June on 05-Feb-2008 21:06:00
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The UK is just a vast building site, following the grand surplus sale by the present Labour government, with meaningful public buildings sold or going to be sold into private ownership forever. Nothing is left alone. The Exchequer's maw is ever open - taking money not to be used for the benefit of the people but to get money to pay for the terrible waste which has gone on this last 10 years, not least the illegal war in Iraq or the mad spending on the 2012 Olympics. What do you think the Few would have thought of that?
posted by
Anonymous on 06-Feb-2008 13:05:00
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diabolical just shows the disrigard this country as for our hero,s god bless them all .
posted by
Whizkid on 06-Feb-2008 19:39:00
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I was ten years old during the BoB, and remember with great pride what a wonderful coming together we experienced during that period. Now, England is just another country with a Socialist Government that has no soul except what can be sold to the highest bidder, to benefit the few. May God have mercy on your souls, you despoilers of the English heritage! Winnie must be turning in his grave to see what you've done to what was the finest civilization in the World.
posted by
Anonymous on 06-Feb-2008 20:43:00
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Why oh why can the Goverment of this country for once look beyond the £ sign and think about the brave young men from so many different countries who gave up their lives during the Battle of Britain to give us what we have today. Without them, under the leadership of Lord Dowding and Keith Park we would not have the freedom that we take so much for granted.
We have Nelson's ship, which I am sure is well cared for by Goverment money so why can't we have "Dowding's" offices where the Battle was planned kept as a historical landmark. I also think taht RAF Uxbridge should also be kept.
Future generations would be able to go to Bentley Priory and see what it was like in those dark days of 1940.
It is sad that so far the goverment of this country has failed to contribute to Lord Dowding's Statue( I beleive this was more or less paid for by "The Few")The Battle of Britain Monument in London paid for by public subscrition.
I do hope that the powers that be will come to their senses and give this country something akin to being a "home" in which we can take in the atmosphere of The Battle of Britain where it was all thought out so many years ago and show a token of thanks to the Pilots, groundcrew and everybody who contributed to winning The Battle of Britain.
posted by
Tango India Mike on 10-Feb-2008 15:28:00
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Much the same thing happens here in Australia too. The Victorian-era Army Headquarters and Barracks right on the doorstep of the City of Perth was sold off to private concerns some years ago. It strikes me that it must be galling indeed for WWII veterans seeing part of it now turned into a Japanese restaurant!
posted by
Anonymous on 14-Feb-2008 00:48:00
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I would have to vote in favour of Bentley Priory remaining as a National Trust Heritage museum.Frankly,I am astonished that the M.O.D didn't consider the national significance of such a magnificent piece of historical importance.I feel that to sell this estate to estate developers tarnishes the memory of "The Few" some of the finest men this country has produced.
posted by
Anonymous on 14-Feb-2008 00:55:00
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How about bulldozing 10 Downing street and leaving a plaque where it used to be,stating- DESECRATORS OF BRITISH HISTORY with a public toilet built over Gargoyle Brown's office.