Barons Court Conservation Area, West London
Local authority
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London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Brief description and history:
Barons Court Conservation Area is focused on the 19th century development which carries the Kensington terraces of the 1860s westwards into the Parish of Fulham. It was, for a while a smart area to live and a number of famous people lived here before WW1. These large houses then fell on hard times are now been sub-divided and this has led to high living densities.
Is it at risk?
The local authority did not fill in a census form for English Heritage’s survey, but has agreed with English Heritage that this conservation area is at risk because of the proliferation of satellite dishes and cabling on inappropriate places on the front of buildings. For instance, on Barons Court Road there are two blue plaques to commemorate famous residents, both of which are obscured by satellite dishes.
What, if anything, is being done to save it? By the council? By the residents?
A local residents’ group, Hammersmith & Fulham Historic Group has produced a local list of buildings for the entire borough and monitor planning applications. The Council tries to get the largest of the satellite dishes removed but with so many flat owners each wanting their own, admits that it is rather like “trying to stem the tide”.
They have successfully imposed a Regulation 7 which prohibits the display of estate agents boards.
For press information and more case studies please contact English Heritage Corporate Communications on 020 7973 3250
