Last week, we saw the demolition by developers of the Carlton pub, in Maida Vale, north London, despite the refusal of planning permission and the prospect of the building being listed by English Heritage.

Next week, in the 75th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain, we face the prospect of the demolition of the former home of one of the greatest aircraft designers the world has known.

Sir Sydney Camm, designer of the Hawker Hurricane – which shot down about 60 per cent of enemy planes in 1940 – and of many other fighter planes, including the Harrier, was described by the News Chronicle in 1941 as “the man who saved Britain”.

He lived and worked for 28 years in an attractive family house in Thames Ditton, which now faces demolition next week by the developers Shanly Homes.

Plans for building four new houses on the site, involving the proposed demolition of Sir Sydney’s house Carradale, were refused by Elmbridge Council.

Pleas to save this historic house have been ignored, even though it could easily be restored to create a home that would sell for well over £1m, as well as the profit on two new houses in the garden.

Greed seems to have overcome any feeling for our history or recognition of the tremendous contribution Sir Sydney Camm made to saving our country.

We ask that even at this late stage the developers recognise this and scale back their plans to demolish this historic house.

COUNS RUTH LYON, KAREN RANDOLPH
Elmbridge Council

PETER BARRINGTON
Head of Kingston University School of Aerospace and Aircraft Engineering

STEWART M. JOHN
Royal Aeronautical Society

CAPT. ERIC M. BROWN
Royal Aeronautical Society

ALLAN WINN
Director, Brooklands Museum Trust