Native Land and Transport for London have withdrawn plans for a 50-home scheme on top of South Kensington tube station, days before it went to committee.
Plans would see 129,000 sq ft of development space, with a five-storey residential block, a four-storey office and ground floor retail. They include demolition and redevelopment of the Bullnose and the Thurloe Street Building (pictured), with refurbishment along Thurloe Street, and a new block on Pelham Street.
The joint venture’s plans were recommended for approval by officers at the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. However, they raised concerns about the designs. In documents ahead of the 3 June committee, officers noted the “overtly contemporary architectural language” which they said was inappropriate in the context of heritage assets and that the plans “fail to preserve the character and appearance” of the conservation area. However, they added “the general design is well considered, engaging, well-detailed, and highly functional”.
