Plan for development next to St Andrews Church is thrown out due to effect on stained-glass windows

Published: 24th March, 2011
by DAN CARRIER and KARINA WHALLEY

IT is the last surviving example in London of a window created by one of the world’s leading stained-glass artists. And fears over the loss of light that streams through rare work by Douglas Strachan have scuppered the plans of a property developer. 

A planning application, which was turned down by Camden Council’s planning committee on Thursday, would have seen a block of 14 flats put up next door to St Andrews church in Frognal Lane, where the window enjoys pride of place.

Minister Reverend Donald MacArthur told Town Hall planners the proposals would rob the window of vital light.

Entitled “Sacrifice”, it was built to commemorate the First World War. Strachan, who designed  it in 1922, is renowned as all other examples of his work in England were destroyed in the Blitz. Some of his other pieces can be found at Edinburgh Castle and the International Courts of Justice at the Hague.

Rev MacArthur said: “I was very anxious. All the experts say that Strachan always took into account the amount of light that would fall on to the window, so it would be detrimental to the enjoyment of the piece if the block had been built.” 

Rev MacArthur chairs a maintenance committee for the Grade-II listed church building and has been active in fighting against his neighbour’s building project.  

He added: “The congregation, myself included, are all very pleased with the outcome.”

The Honorary Secretary of the Scottish Stained Glass Symposium, Alison Robertson, said the windows at St Andrews were as good as any to be found in England. 

“These particular windows in St Andrew’s Church are outstanding works of art, with a telling and haunting message of sacrifice to proclaim,” she said. “This work is most certainly the equal of any of the best such glass in England. If they were in a great cathedral in England, there would be an almighty public outcry at the deprivation of light inflicted by the proposed new building.” 

Ms Robertson said that stained-glass windows relied on exterior light to allow their full glory to be appreciated. She added: “It is its life blood. Without adequate light, any piece of stained glass is silenced, and unable to communicate its message as intended, and never more so than in this case.” 

Speaking for the developers, Charles Moran insisted the designs took into account the amount of daylight that would be lost, adding that the changes would make little difference to the overall effect.

Lib Dem councillor Flick Rea, who sits on the planning committee, said: “This is clearly over-development. The block is the wrong size and in the wrong place.”.

Councillors voted seven to three to throw out the plans, with two abstentions.