Sir: I must
take issue regarding your leading article of 20 May. I fiercely
disagree that the Chelsea Flower Show "has done a pretty
good job in going green". The truth is that each year
the Chelsea Flower Show is responsible for one of the worst
environmental disasters in central London.
The historic and once-beautiful grounds and gardens in which
the show is held is the only green area in Chelsea, and
is protected by three conservation orders. Each time this
ever-expanding monstrosity of a flower show is held, it
destroys this once-glorious green area for the rest of the
year.
In the 37 years I have lived opposite, it has increased
in size by at least three times, and the period of time
during which the whole operation stays on site has now increased
from three weeks to nearly two months. This has resulted
in a huge increase in noise, mess, dust, dirt, smell, vermin,
pollution and almost unbelievable traffic congestion.
To Chelsea residents, the flower show is the start of the
annual trashing of the grounds and gardens. Each spring,
it is heartbreaking to watch their workers start preparing
for the show. They crush the profusion of cultured and meadow
flowers, grass verges and lawns that are still struggling
for survival from the year before, beneath their filthy
portable buildings, machinery, rubbish-skips, heavy lorries,
and gigantic, ugly marquees.
The gardens are described in the Royal Hospital's own literature
as "a green retreat with shady walks". Not for
a long time has it been like that.
Planning permission is needed to bring the RHS under control
so that the whole operation can be reassessed. The entire
event must be reduced to an acceptable level and a stop
put to the appalling environmental devastation done each
year to the flowers, trees and greenery. |
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