Earls Court residents claim ‘fury’ at gateway site consent
The battle between developers and residents at Earls Court looks set to continue, with fresh outrage at the new owner’s consent for the gateway scheme.
The Earls Court Development Company was last night granted approval from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council for 51 build-to-rent homes to replace the Tournament pub at 344-350 Old Brompton Road, SW5.
Councillors approved the scheme with a 4-1 vote in favour of the nine-storey development, despite 345 objections and seven letters in support.
The battle between developers and residents at Earls Court looks set to continue, with fresh outrage at the new owner’s consent for the gateway scheme.
The Earls Court Development Company was last night granted approval from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council for 51 build-to-rent homes to replace the Tournament pub at 344-350 Old Brompton Road, SW5.
Councillors approved the scheme with a 4-1 vote in favour of the nine-storey development, despite 345 objections and seven letters in support.
The scheme is the first development from investors APG and Delancey, following the £425m acquisition of the site from Capco at the end of 2019.
The Earls Court Action Group, has reported “fury” at the decision, which it says ignores “a record number of objections from a wide alliance of national conservation watchdogs, historical societies, angry locals and residents”.
Campaigners have struck out over fears the new consent will be “used as a benchmark to justify increased heights within the site area”.
Objectors also complained about the fact homes were only available to rent, segregation of renters, lack of amenity and the negative impact on historic sites, with a number of listed buildings nearby.
Linda Wade, chair of the Earls Court Action Group, said: “This building in its height, scale and massing is incongruous to local streets and it is not of human scale and must be seen as a snapshot for what ECP and its delivery vehicle ECDC envisions for the future of the development area.
“This application should not be seen in isolation. This is not a standalone building; rather it should have been viewed in the context of the revised masterplan to assess its impact and connectivity. This was an opportunity to create something significant. That opportunity has been missed.”
Local resident Keith Barker-Main said: “This is the latest example in a long list of planning approvals by RBKC that puts speculative developers’ profits first, ignoring the needs, aspirations and concerns of those residents and local businesses RBKC purportedly represents.”
In a separate statement, responding to the consent, Rob Heasman, chief executive of the Earl’s Court Development Company, said: “Derelict sites are of no benefit to London, and our attention now turns to delivering these homes which are so acutely needed.
“This is a positive start and clear sign of our commitment to bring forward homes and jobs in Earls Court. Our team has worked closely with the Royal Borough and local community and business groups to help shape the development.”
Objectors included Save Britain’s Heritage, The Royal Parks, The Kensington Society, The Fulham Society, The Friends of Brompton Cemetery, The Gardens Trust, The London Parks & Gardens Trust, The Earl’s Court Society, Philbeach Residents’ Association, Edwardes Square Scarsdale and Abingdon Association, Cornwall Mews South (West Side) RA, Earl’s Court Village Residents Association, The Boltons Association and Earl’s Court Gardens & Morton Mews Residents’ Association.
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Image © Pilbrow & Partners
