Qatari Diar and Candy Brothers joint venture breaks silence on scheme criticised by Prince Charles

The developers behind Chelsea Barracks have publicly backed its architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners after the Prince of Wales’ criticised the scheme.

In a briefly-worded statement, Project Blue (Guernsey), the joint venture between property developer Qatari Diar and the CPC Group run by the Candy brothers, pledged its “wholehearted commitment” to Rogers’ design.

The developers said they were concerned at inaccurate reports that they were looking to abandon RSH+P’s designs. The Prince of Wales reportedly wrote to the Emir of Qatar last month asking him to consider an alternative scheme by neo-classical architect Quinlan Terry.

The prince’s alleged comments have re-ignited debate on his role as a purveyor of architectural style. A group of well-known architects including Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry attacked the prince for going above the heads of the planning authorities to register his disapproval of the scheme.

The scheme went in for planning permission in February after several months of consultation with local stakeholders. A decision is expected later in the year.

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