Wooden boarding around a development site in Isleworth has left life-size statues of Mary and Joseph with just their heads visible and Jesus totally hidden.

The popular statues have stood at the front of Campion House in Thornbury Road for many years but developers have now put high boarding around the site.

One resident branded the treatment of the monument "disrespectful" and wanted to know why the developer Try Homes, which is proposing to develop the former seminary in Thornbury Road, Isleworth, into 273 homes, had not moved it to a more appropriate place.

Tom Nicholson, managing director of Try Homes, confirmed the statue is owned by the Roman Catholic church and the intention is to relocate it once a suitable location is found.

He said: "I don't think it's disrespectful. We are securing it and protecting it from the casual vandal."

The boarding has added further tension to the disagreements between Try Homes and campaign group Campion Concerns, which is made up of residents who are opposed to the housing development.

At an exhibition about the development last month residents were able to voice their lack of support for the plans.

Hounslow Council's planning department has received 131 letters of objections from residents.

Mr Pavett said: "One of the most disappointing features of the developer's application is their approach to the Spring Grove conservation area.

"Instead of designing a building more in keeping with the surrounding built environment they have chosen to denigrate that environment instead.

"This has not endeared them to residents. We can only hope it has not impressed the planners either."

Mr Nicholson said: "This is a completely unfounded attack on what is a design proposal of very high quality.

It is likely the application will be considered at the Isleworth and Brentford area committee on Thursday, September 14.