Campaign to restore missing rooftop cows successful

A man's campaign to reinstate a herd of fibreglass cows on the roof of the Dairy Crest building in Hanworth, London, has been successful. Joachim (Jake) Jellinek, of East Twickenham, launched an online campaign and petition in July, after his two-year-old son Cosmo pointed out their mysterious absence. While a date for their return has not been confirmed, Mr Jellinek, 43, said: "I’m delighted to announce I have had this confirmed by Hanworth councillor Richard Foote (who has really taken this to heart and helped enormously.)



"The interesting part is that with the help of his colleague councillor John Chatt, they unearthed the original planning permission for the then new bottling plant, and it was part of the agreement at the time, in order to be allowed to build on green belt land, that the cows remain on the roof (and indeed they should have been moved around a bit from time to time also.)" The council informed Dairy Crest of their findings and that they fully intended to enforce the original planning condition. As a result Dairy Crest have agreed to reinstate the cows.

Councillor Richard Foote said this was an issue he felt extremely strongly about and was happy to hear the matter had been resolved. He said: "I'm born and bed in Hanworth and the cows have been long time neighbours of mine almost. I remember when they were in the front of the grounds. They have been a major item that people recognise coming into London. When you escape the Wild West it's the first thing you see. I know it's an issue that is close to most Hanworth residents and certainly one I have felt we could not just leave.



"Councillor John Chatt (Feltham North) remembered the original planning application and was sure the bottling plant which was built on partially green belt land had a clause for the cows to be on the roof and would remain there and be periodically moved around." Other key people who helped move the issue forward included planning case officer Max Smith digging up all the original documents and Brendan Walsh, Hounslow's director of regeneration. Details on the time scale including a date, and whether the same cows or an updated cow display will go up, are to be confirmed.