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Property moguls refuse to address residents’ fears

PROPERTY developers refused yesterday to address the concerns of local residents fighting against the demolition of a series of Victorian homes and two historic pubs.

The terraced houses are currently owned by Capital & Counties Properties (Capco), which is managing the regeneration of London’s iconic Earls Court area.

Lillie Road and Empress Place hold two rows of Victorian workers’ cottages and lie a mere walk away from the former exhibition centre.

A group of local activists dressed in Victorian costumes paraded through the neighbourhood at the weekend, supported by local Labour MP Andy Slaughter.

Earls Court Action Group chair Linda Wade said: “We are losing so much of our built heritage and sense of place in London that appreciating what we still have takes on an added significance.”

Two activists masqueraded as Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales, in reference the Prince of Wales and Imperial Arms pubs under threat.

London Assembly members Nicky Gavron and Darren Johnson also pledged support for the campaign, having written to the council about the preservation of the local pubs.

Demolition of the area has been temporarily stayed while residents apply to have the Prince of Wales listed as an asset of community value.

A Capco spokesman told the Star that the company kept an open dialogue with politicians but preferred to keep their correspondence “private.”

He said Capco was “focused on bringing forward exciting and ambitious plans for the future of Lillie Road and Empress Place.

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