The remains of a celebrated artist will have to be dug up if plans to build a new Crossrail 2 station in Chelsea go ahead, it has been claimed.
The body of Royal Academy founder member Giovanni Cipriani lies on consecrated land at Dovehouse Green, next door to Chelsea fire station, where the proposed mega-station would sit, in King's Road.
A memorial for 477 Chelsea civilians who lost their lives during the Second World War is also located at Dovehouse Green - only public green space on the King’s Road.
The news follows a meeting between Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (K&C) cabinet member for transport Tim Coleridge and No Crossrail in Chelsea chairman Chris Lenon last week.
However, Transport for London (TfL), which is behind the plans, say the green will not be disturbed.
The group oppose plans for a Crossrail 2 diversion through Chelsea and wants the route from Victoria to Clapham Junction to be direct, and more than 4,000 have signed their petition.
Protesters say opposition is gathering pace, with a rally held on October 3 and 21 local residents' associations coming out in mass opposition to the plan, which is supported by K&C.
Several celebrities have also come out in opposition to the scheme, including Good Life actress Felicity Kendal and TV chef Loyd Grossman.
Mr Lenon said the council was duty-bound to listen to the voice of the people: “This is not the council’s borough. This is the borough’s council. And yet the Council is failing to represent the views of the people that elected them.
“Crossrail in Chelsea has no local support, as has been demonstrated by all 21 of the resident associations voting in our favour. It is about time K&C listened to the local opposition and started to serve the local people, instead of persisting with its Crossrail vanity project that will ruin the charm of Chelsea.
“The news that the grave of a founder member of the Royal Academy lies within the safeguarded area for this station – and therefore is at risk – is just another reason to add to the long list for why we oppose this monstrous railway plan in Chelsea.
“We support the Crossrail 2 project. We just don’t think £1.2bn should be spent building a station here and ruining one of London’s finest villages.”
Dr James Thompson, chairman of the King’s Road Association of Chelsea Residents, agreed: “No residents' association supported a Crossrail station and 21 associations opposed a station. The voice of Chelsea is clear in opposing a Crossrail station here.”
Opponents say a station in Chelsea could see large numbers of passengers using the King’s Road station, swamping the narrow pavements and destroying the current shopping experience.
Retail and office developments which would come with the station would also “seriously damage the streetscape of Chelsea” and “ruin the unique charm of the King’s Road and its independent businesses”, while creating another ubiquitous High Street.
The march saw hundreds of people walk from Sloane Square to Dovehouse Green waving banners and placards.
But K&C said the proposal does enjoy public support, and with a final consultation of local residents, businesses and stakeholders expected to begin this month, urged the public to wait for the TfL plans.
A spokesman said: “We know that Crossrail 2 has very significant support amongst local residents, many of whom are looking forward to hugely improved public transport, dramatically reduced journey times, better air quality and less congestion.
“We hope that all of Chelsea’s 100-plus residents’ associations will come to a view after having heard the information that TfL will put into the public domain later this month when it starts its consultation.
“On the question of Dovehouse Green - we urge all Chelsea residents and businesses to get involved in the consultation and find out the truth for themselves, about Dovehouse Green and the location and size of the station.”
And Michèle Dix, TfL’s Managing Director for Crossrail 2, said: "While tunnelled sections of Crossrail 2 are expected to pass under parts of the consecrated Dovehouse Green burial ground, their depth would mean the ground above would not be disturbed. We will be consulting on our proposals shortly enabling everyone to comment on more detailed plans.”
A final consultation of local residents, businesses and stakeholders is expected to begin this month.
A public meeting arguing the case for the station will be held on November 3 at Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, SW3 5EE. It runs from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
