Forum Topic

Conservation and Preservation 

Although at the recent Bees United Members Forum the exciting plans for a new stadium at Lionel Road were discussed and the potential site being the Gillette factory on the corner of the Great West Road becoming a possible site of the new stadium I think all should remember that the Gillette building does have a preservation order on it.I'm just listing a few of the points below for all to take note of and who may wish to respond to.Althought this may well be good news for some it may well be an eye saw to many others and also sad to see such an architectural and historical building be lost forever to the landscape in place of a Football Stadium of all things. I myself work at Gillette but don't live in the area but if I did I for one would not be too happy at all of looking out at a stadium right on my frontdoor step in place of a fine looking building on a main road going into London. I'm sure also that many who do live in the area would feel very much the same about this as myself. Listed BuildingsA Listed Building is a building or structure of special architectural or historic interest. They are categorised into one of three grades:-Grade I - These are buildings of exceptional national interest e.g. Harlowbury House and Chapel, Old Road, Harlow.Grade II* - These are particularly important buildings of more than special interest e.g Old House, Roydon Rd.Grade II - buildings of special interest which warrant every effort being made to preserve them e.g. 1 Park Hill.Listed Building ConsentBefore any work is carried out to listed buildings, listed building consent has to be sought from the Council. Work started without consent constitutes a criminal offence and may result in a fine or even imprisonment.There is no fee required for an application for listed building consent and full details of the relevant procedures can be obtained from Planning Services whose development control officers will be able to advise you.Building Preservation NoticesIf it is apparent that a building which is not listed is threatened with demolition or alterations out of character to features of special interest, you may ask the Council to serve a Building Preservation Notice.This notice has the same legal power as listing, but for a period of six months only. During this period the Department of National Heritage must decide whether or not the building should be listed.Conservation AreasThese areas are designated by the Council as areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to conserve or enhance.Article taken from http://www.beesunited.org.uk/

Anthony Paulus ● 7260d6 Comments

Well in a way that's true but it's only to do with local rates. If the site is used for industrial purposes then the rates on the site are lower.However, if it were used for say a Hotel then the rates would go up to a much higher level.So it could be turned into a Hotel or whatever & not just remain a factory.If you look around the area where factories used to be like next door to Gillette you can now see Tesco etc. The United Biscuits factory would have been built around the same time as the Gillette building, but it's not now an industrial spot?.Anyway, from what I've been told that's the reason.

Anthony Paulus ● 7257d

Isn't there a covenant(I think that's the correct word)on that site that says it must be used for industrial purposes?I have a couple of mates who work there and one thinks this is so.It certainly is an imposing building and impressive.I don't know how they keep the blue colour of the building's facia so radiantly blue,if you know what I mean.The building kind of reminds me of soviet bloc style architecture circa 1950 ish. It would be a great shame if it were knocked down.

Keith Iddon ● 7259d

Hello again,Well in an ideal world myself & 450 other employee's of the Gillette IMC factory would like to see the building remain as a 70 year old razor plant. As King C.Gillette once said "That the growth of the company’s business demanded a new building which he said “should be an industrial palace of light and beauty, for economy an efficiency are not alone in machines but can be found in contented workmen, and the pleasure which is theirs is beautiful surroundings.” King C. Gillette started the company & King James Kilts will end it's 104 years of history later this year when it's sold off to Procter & Gamble.So not only are all our job's going off to Poland next year but also Kilts is selling off our company in the process.If anyone wants more information on all of this then please feel free to visit our website at http://www.Gillette-Reunited.ComWe value all the support that people can give us at this very sad time,and more so from all in the local area.Our aim is to retain as much history of the Gillette Building as we can on the internet and giving our staff as much support as posible for the coming future years.Thank you again for allowing us to post on this site & thank you to all for the support you have given us in the area.

Anthony Paulus ● 7259d

Anthony:Thanks for that information..and be assured that we are very  grateful for your interesting postings.I hadn't realised the colossal importance of the Gillette Building to the local scenic scene..until you notified us of the suggestion that one day..it might not be there!A Hotel sounds a good idea. What other suggested uses for the building could there be?

Jim Lawes ● 7259d

Hello Jim,Well I agree with you in full but was just giving a qoute from the Brentford Supporters' Trust website & on our own employee supprot site Gillette-Reunited.Com that a  property investment company approached the club to explore the potential for an alternative site, which at that time was confidential.they are now able to reveal that the potential site was the Gillette factory on the corner of the Great West Road and Syon Lane to the West of Brentford.I agree that planning would never be given for such a project as a Football Stadium and just as well too. I would think that if anything the building would become a grand Hotel which at least would give the area more stable employment to the local area rather than any stadium could & would also not be such an eye saw.Anyway, I was just pointing this out as I had concerns about it & was just making sure everyone new about it too.

Anthony Paulus ● 7260d

Anthony:That's news to me that the Gillette Building is being considered for possible demolition....and the site being considered as suiltable for a new Brentford Football Stadium.Good grief!We are aware that Gillette are planning to transfer production to Poland (I believe)..but had never even dreamt that one day it could disappear!  I believe that the building is actually in Isleworth..the border line with Brentford passing outside the building.It is a colossal building...when one stands outside it ..both at the front and at the sides.One is reminded of the ugliness of the Twickenham Rugby Stadium. The outside view from a distance..looks as though the structure has been hit by several bombs. "A view of a smart car..from underneath the car..if you see what I mean"The idea of a tangle of metal dumped on the top of SION HILL (as GC is historically called) has no chance of being approved.  The idea of thousands of football supporters decending on the area...streaming across the main roads and junction..ignoring traffic signals and tunnels..is a joke.

Jim Lawes ● 7260d