n and around Brackenbury:
Flora Gardens School renewal: the school has moved, on a ‘temporary basis’, to the former Lena Gardens School buildings after a £1M renovation for the new occupiers. The future of the Flora Garden school premises remains under review.
Grove House 27 Hammersmith Grove: planning application validated at the end of July for conversion of the existing office building to provide hotel accommodation for ‘local workers and visitors’, with a work-hub and coffee barat ground floor available for public use. BRA comments to be submitted shortly. The scheme appears to provide a welcome asset for the neighbourhood; our comments will include (i) taking the opportunity to ameliorate the impact of the existing condition where the rear of the building is within 7 metres of the rear of the terrace houses of Overstone Road, and (ii) minimise the impact of any increase in traffic on Hammersmith Grove. BRA comments to be submitted shortly. (PA ref2024/01586/FUL).
26-28 Hammersmith Grove (behind 32-62Hammersmith Grove terrace):
Following the residents’ May 24 meeting with LBHF and the developer (arranged by BRA) we understand revised proposals are in preparation taking into account the neighbourhood concerns.
Hotel scheme application was allowed at appeal. Developer has since proposed are vised scheme of 200 residential flats in four blocks prompting substantial concerns about scale and bulk and impact on the residential terrace, discussed at inconclusive meetings with the development team. LBHF have responded to BRA and HGRA request for a meeting with the developer, which took place on May 24: after lengthy and unproductive discussion pointing out the residents’ concerns about the scheme, repeating issues raised at previous consultations, the developer and architect finally acknowledged the possible shortcomings, and agreed to explore alternative approaches to the scheme. We await their further proposals.
12 Wellesley Avenue (the former Aston Martin garage):
No movement following the residents’ May 1 meeting with LBHF and the developer (arranged by BRA) noted below.
Approved commercial scheme remains unpopular with residents. Developer has proposed an alternative residential scheme now agreed in principle by the residents: the scheme is a far better fit for this residential street, but the developer considers the viability is dependent on street parking permits for each new house. LBHF responded to BRA and local residents’ request for a meeting with the developer which took place on 1 May. The meeting confirmed to LBHF the residents’ strong preference for the residential scheme; LBHF acknowledged the significance of this local opinion, and referred to their pre-app comments which confirmed, we understand, the planning viability of the residential scheme; LBHF reiterated pre-app advice that the parking facility, tho’ contrary to policy, could be allowable if agreed by the planning committee.
The developer is now considering the options: with the long and costly planning history of the project he is reluctant to proceed to planning without reasonable certainty of a positive outcome; informal chat after the meeting revealed that the commercial scheme was ready to proceed with a full pre-let, but with covid the tenant was lost and the commercial market has faded.
Further afield:
LBHF Town Centre SPD (Supplementary Planning Document): formally adopted by LBHF 6.8 24.
LBHF Town Hall and Civic Campus: project construction continues. Residential accommodation due for completion later this year. Overall completion date to be confirmed.
76-80 Hammersmith Road (western end block of the group of black office buildings on the corner of Hammersmith Road and Brook Green) – no change to previous report: proposal by developer MRP to convert and expand the building to provide 420-bed hotel and provision of offices and life-sciences laboratories. From initial details this appears to be a good scheme and a welcome replacement of the lifeless office building. Planning application due to be submitted later this year.
Hammersmith Bridge: Stabilisation works continue and require a number of 24-hour closures of the bridge during September and October 2024. The carriageway is due to re- open to cycles in April 2025. Planning application for the Foster temporary bridge scheme yet to be submitted and understood to await DfT formal approval of the business case.
L’Oreal building 255 Hammersmith Road (corner of Hammersmith Road and the Broadway): No change to previous report: planning application awaited for the wholesale renovation of the building with 2-3 additional storeys at roof level. The structure and general outward appearance of the existing building would be retained, with modifications to upgrade the environmental performance of the building to exceed current standards.
King Street & Marks and Spencer – no change to previous report: it is understood a revised scheme is in preparation, taking into account the LBHF SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) for the Town Centre.
Ravenscourt Park Hospital – no change to previous report: planning application validated.11.23 for refurbishment and extension of the former hospital for residential use, and redevelopment of the north block site for part residential and part care-home use. (2023/03129/FUL): comments submitted are generally favourable except for alterations to Block A (facing Ravenscourt Park) and ill-fitting proposals for the new block towards Ravenscourt Square.
190-194 Goldhawk Road: – no change to previous report: PA in progress to develop the existing, approx 120M deep x12M frontage light industrial/vehicle storage site to provide an apartment block fronting Goldhawk Road, and mews development at the rear. Comments submitted to LBHF: elevation to Goldhawk Road too high and a poor fit in the streetscape, detail problems in the mews housing at the rear regarding access, privacy and external amenity space.
Avonmore School, Avonmore Road- no change to previous report: planning application to redevelop the school site with new school premises and residential development providing affordable and market accommodation. Comments submitted include concerns regarding the commercial development of school land, and the overall bulk of the buildings proposed. Ref 2023/03051/FR3 validated November 2023