In this recent post there are pictures of Hammersmith and Fulham College as it is today. Here is what it may become.
The Chairman of the Residents’ Association has summarised the proposal with his usual clarity:
“Why redevelop?
- The college has a large, but inefficient site at present stretching from Colet Gardens to Gliddon Road.
- The college owns the freehold.
- Its plan is to sell off the western half with outline planning to a residential developer in order to fund the redevelopment of the college
College redevelopment proposals
- The main elevation will be 5 storeys (20m), with two extra storeys stepped back (28m) as in the picture. (They said Barons Keep is 20m with its recent extra floor.)
- The college’s own plans are largely complete and will be submitted to the council after the consultation.
- Building will take is 2 years starting 2021.
- The college will continue to run during the build, with pupils moved to temporary buildings at the western end.
- The college capacity will not increase beyond the present 2,200.
Residential proposals
- The residential area will comprise 470 flats in three buildings, of which 35% “affordable”.
- Each of the three buildings will be 6 storeys on the Talgarth Road elevation (20m) rising respectively to 9 storeys (29m), 10 storeys (32m) and 12 storeys (38m) at the rear. “But only 6 storeys next to St Paul’s Court”. (That doesn’t square with the picture on the flyer.)
- 130 parking underground parking spaces, inc 47 for blue badge holders. Residents will not be allowed to apply for residents’ parking permits.
Transport issues
- The college is in touch with TFL about improvements to the pedestrian crossings, which become very crowded.
- The intention is to have a public walkway within the boundary of the site so that people do not have to walk directly beside Talgarth Road. Generally an emphasis on “permeability” through the site.
We had a meeting of the Res Assoc Committee last night for an initial discussion of the proposals. We considered that we should seek to use the consultation to achieve commitments to a number of issues, such as:
- Density and affordability of the flats
- Trees along Talgarth Rd
- Preservation of the listed old St Paul’s wall and railings
- Protection of evening classes.
- Improved access to Hammersmith tube station from the site so that Barons Court tube is not overwhelmed.
- In the same vein, an additional pedestrian crossing at the end of Colet Gardens to the main entrance of LAMDA, phased with the existing crossing
- We were generally concerned by the height and mass of the college building so close to Talgarth and Gliddon Roads. The existing buildings are as high, but only in one or two parts, and a long way back within the site. There would be a big impact on St Paul’s Studios both in light and reflected sound.
Any other thoughts gratefully received.
The Flyer
The flyer asks motherhood and apple pie questions designed to elicit support for the proposals.
- Do you support regeneration of the college?
- Do you support high quality education?”
I wonder how many Residents’ Associations present information so succinctly to their members? My first reaction is that the economic argument for the redevelopment may be good, if there is still demand for another 470 small flats in London in 2023, but the aesthetic damage may out-weigh this. Perhaps the developer realises this and has a smaller scale Plan B up his sleeve?
I doubt good would come of this, selling family silver springs to mind, and we have a recent reminder in Carillion, though not an exact comparison. They are probably being beguiled by the developers. It would be nice to see London being left alone for a bit, to enable those who live there to enjoy it.
470 flats BUT less than 100 ordinary resident parking spaces, are they having a laugh?
A 12 storey monstrosity replacing an interesting brick building. Yes the joke is on us?
35% affordable housing, a wonderful idea, but in this context literally unbelievable ! Could it be that the council has a very close relationship with the property speculators?