Bentley Priory is 'key' project for developer (From Harrow Times)

Bentley Priory is 'key' project for Barratt Developments

2:53pm Tuesday 22nd February 2011 in News By Jack Royston

THE project to redevelop the cherished former home of Fighter Command is one of the key schemes for the developer behind it.

Barratt Developments is building luxury homes and flats at Bentley Priory, a site held up as the spiritual home of the fighter pilots who gave their lives to keep Britain in World War Two.

Plans for the site will also see a memorial to The Few in the most historic rooms of the Grade II* listed mansion house, built by company City & Country.

Glyn Hopping, managing director of Barratt North London, said: “For Barratt this is one of the key developments of the Barratt group as a whole let alone North London.

“I think it's a prestigious site in itself and then there is the historical connection with the building and the ground, not just because of the Second World War and Fighter Command but also it has enormous significance in terms of the history of London.

“It's a prestigious scheme but also its historic importance is a profile we've never done before.

“What we are doing particularly with the creation of the museum is we are making sure the important history of the site is being protected for ever.”

Barratt will begin taking down structures that will not survive, including the old mess buildings and the Cold War bunker, in March with building work on the new homes expected to begin in April.