Earl’s Court Development Moves Forward with Council Approval

Plans to transform the Earl’s Court area in West London are set to advance significantly, as the Hammersmith and Fulham Council prepares to make a key decision regarding the redevelopment. A meeting scheduled for November 26, 2023, is expected to see the council’s officers recommend approval for a substantial portion of the scheme, which aims to deliver approximately 4,000 homes along with various amenities.

The proposed redevelopment encompasses a 40-acre brownfield site, previously occupied by the Earl’s Court Exhibition Centres, which has remained largely unused since the buildings were demolished between 2015 and 2017. The current plan, spearheaded by the Earl’s Court Development Company (ECDC), a joint venture that includes Delancey and the Dutch pension fund manager APG, seeks to revitalize this area and is part of a larger initiative that extends into the neighboring Kensington and Chelsea borough.

The council’s report indicates that this section of the development is a hybrid application, including both detailed plans and outline proposals. The detailed aspect of the project outlines the construction of four buildings that could rise up to 42 storeys, providing 456 homes and 696 student accommodation units. Additionally, it proposes facilities for food, retail, and various community spaces, including a cinema and a live music venue.

While the plans promise significant community benefits, including the creation of 12,000 jobs and 2.5 million square feet of workspace, concerns have been raised regarding the density of the development. The proposal includes a commitment to allocate 35 percent of the housing as affordable, which falls short of the 50 percent target outlined in Hammersmith and Fulham’s Local Plan. Nonetheless, council officers have stated that this figure represents the maximum reasonable provision based on independent assessments.

The proposal will be considered by the Planning and Development Control Committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, with further applications anticipated to refine the outline proposals. If all goes as planned, the redevelopment could be completed by early 2043.

Given the project’s scale and complexity, with the council’s report alone spanning 451 pages, it remains subject to potential oversight by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who may call for a final decision.

Feedback from the public has been mixed. A total of 376 representations were submitted concerning the plans, with 269 in support, 74 opposing, and 33 neutral. Objections have focused on the height and density of the proposed buildings, the architectural design, and the impact on local heritage and light in the surrounding areas.

Several local societies, including the Hammersmith Society and the Kensington Society, have expressed concerns about the development, questioning the lack of distinctive cultural offerings in the plans. They argue that the proposed cultural spaces are too small to attract significant institutions, potentially resulting in a generic mix of uses that could be found anywhere.

In response to community feedback, Rob Heasman, Chief Executive of ECDC, emphasized the ongoing dialogue with local residents since the acquisition of the site in 2019. He stated, “We are pleased to see such a clear recommendation of support from officers in advance of the meeting. This is a unique opportunity to transform a well-connected brownfield site, which has lain empty for 10 years, into a new neighbourhood.”

As the council prepares for the upcoming decision, both supporters and critics will be watching closely to see how this ambitious project unfolds.