A previous subject on this blog that stirred many emotions is the fate of former RAF Fighter Command HQ at Bentley Priory. Today an update on the same subject.
Bentley Priory, in Stanmore, north London, is perhaps best remembered as the place from which ACM Hugh Dowding led the defence of the country during the Battle of Britain and considered by many to be the spiritual home of Fighter Command. This estate was long managed by the RAF and had therefore largely retained its former character.
Things changed irrevocably two years ago when, as part of the restructuring programme, the Royal Air Force decided to dispose of some of its property in the Greater London area. This included the Priory for which the MoD did not find enduring operational use and which, frankly, was long overdue for renovation.
The closure of Bentley Priory as the RAF station took place by the end of May last year. There was a sunset ceremony, a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and then the RAF ensign was lowered for the last time. Form that moment on, the entire site is managed by a construction company, VSM Estates, with a view of converting the spacious Italian gardens into a residential area.
Initially, similar plans were drawn for the mansion itself, which was to be transformed into luxury flats, only retaining its external appearance. This proposal met a wave of criticism from a wide group of history and aviation enthusiasts, who thought that the Priory should be preserved for future generations as a museum. Unfortunately, neither MoD nor the government expressed any interest in actively supporting such an initiative.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of a group of dedicated individuals, the issue of preserving the Priory has been raised at London Borough of Harrow, responsible for establishing a planning guidance for the area. The plan agreed in 2007 with VSM Estates included provisions for the museum open to the public in the main rooms of the house. The museum was to be run by the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, but much of the funding would have come from the developer as part of the terms of their permission to use the site.
Then came the current recession and with it a new turn in this long story. The collapse of the housing market in 2008 brought the building boom to a halt and lead to general downsizing of new projects. In February 2009, VSM announced that despite their contractual obligations towards MoD, they have not been able to finalise negotiations with a suitable development company. According to latest available information, VSM Estates now anticipates putting the property out to tender for development when the property market will improve, certainly not earlier than mid-2010.
What does it all mean to the future of the Priory? As both schemes – the housing project and the museum – are tied together, this means that the plans for the Bentley Priory museum are efficiently shelved.
The effort in Harrow Council to turn for Government funding for the museum plans did not so far bring any results.
It is a bitter disappointment to the Priory Trust, who hoped to open the museum for 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. That’s not going to happen now.
Despite the very best endeavours of the Priory Trustees and other supporting individuals, all there is to do is wait. First for the economy to improve, then a buyer to develop the site and pay for the refurbishing and financing of the museum, with all the risks and responsibilities that are entailed. The museum is certainly further away rather than nearer now.
It’s all so sad considering that the Battle of Britain museum would undoubtedly have attracted so many. When the mansion was opened to the public for the first time in last September, it attracted thousands of people taking tours of the house and relaxing on the lawn outside.
More open days will be held this autumn, with the dates expected to be September 10-13. If you can, take the chance now, enjoy the visit, take some photos: you never know if there will be another opportunity.
For latest on Bentley Priory see:
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?id=105008;article=20098
I feel the Bentley Priory Trust shold consider setting up a Consortium with charities and organisations engaged in the welfare of ex -servicemen and women and create a center for those who are now vulnerable and sick. This could be combined with a review of future inverstment in the Imperial War Museum sites to create a fund for a new designated site at Bentley Priory. Hugh Dowding's use of radar and fighter control was nothing short of brilliant. A creative solution does not glory war but aims to demonstrate that we care about the welfare of those who served. The museum could focus on all aspects of defence. I recognise this is a complex and costly issue, and like so many issues, political will to take seriously the historical importance of Bentley Priory is also a requirement. A strong social case as outlined above should be considered. John Hinman