SUPPORT to save a historic chapel on the Chelsea Barracks site is mounting.

The Orthodox Parish of St Peter and St Paul has backed a campaign to spare the 19th Century chapel from demolition by giving it listed status.

Developer Project Blue plans to remove the chapel under their £1billion plans to redevelop the former army site, which lies on the area of land between Chelsea and Pimlico bordered by Chelsea Bridge Road and Pimlico Road, to make space for a 1.3 acre public park.

A spokesman for the charitable Trust of the Parish of St Peter and St Paul said: "We're delighted to add a church voice to the growing protest over the planned destruction of this beautiful and historic former place of worship.

"Once a church is lost in our capital, it's lost forever. Many local residents have expressed the wish that the building should be reconsecrated as a church. Many have also expressed enthusiasm for a pan-Orthodox community to worship here and continue to pray for the fallen in war - a fitting memorial to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice."

The parish has been searching for a permanent place of worship for the last six years.

The developer has recently submitted a new planning application, with the heights of buildings significantly scaled back from plans put forward in September.

However, a Project Blue spokesman said the chapel would have to go under the proposals, as it stands in the middle of a planned area of open space.

He added: "We're pleased at the welcome given to our proposal to commemorate the generations of soldiers who lived and worked at Chelsea Barracks through the use of contemporary landscape design and the installation of public works.

"Recently, we've taken soundings from senior representatives of the Guards regiments who served at Chelsea Barracks and they've been unanimous in stating that they have no sentimental attachments to the building and would be completely unconcerned if it was demolished.

"The landscaped garden, which our neighbours and Westminster Council are demanding, can only be delivered if the chapel is demolished."