Published: Sunday, 19th April, 2009 5:00pm

Town Hall site will become a 'ghetto'

by Callum Brodie

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CAMPAIGNERS in Slough have called on Chalvey residents to make a stand and help save the town's little remaining heritage from being destroyed.

Slough Borough Council's decision to bulldoze the town hall and construct 550 flats on the site has sparked outrage within the community, and members of the Save Slough's Heritage campaign is now warning Chalvey residents that the planned development could drive down house prices and turn the surrounding area into a ghetto.

Campaign chiefs remain hopeful that the building, located in Bath Road, will soon be granted Grade II-listed status, although plans to gatecrash an upcoming council meeting are likely to go ahead and residents are being urged to join the crusade to preserve the celebrated local landmark.

Martin Gibbons, leader of the Save Slough Town Hall campaign, said: "I have sent the full English Heritage report to all of the 41 councillors in the borough.

"In the letter, I have included a leaflet which shows what civic pride was like in 1937 when the town hall was completed.

"I am sure that the councillors from back then would be turning in their graves if they could see what their counterparts today were trying to do to the precious heritage that we have in our town."

Campaigners have promised councillors a heated reception when the issue of the town hall goes up for discussion at a full council meeting on April 28.

Mr Gibbons, added: "We would certainly encourage the Chalvey community to come forward and voice their views at the meeting.

"Building yet another new development in the area will only serve to devalue existing properties in the area which backs on to the site and turn the area into a ghetto."

The bulldozers will be kept away from the town hall for the time being, however, pending a decision from the Prime Minister's office to award the building listed status following a glowing reference from English Heritage.