West London development could mean major demolition works.
Earl’s Court could get an £8 billion “suburb” with thousands of new homes and jobs under ambitious development plans unveiled today, according to the Evening Standard newspaper. The west London scheme would see 7,500 homes built and 12,000 permanent local jobs created, according to the developers.
However, the project is being opposed by some local residents despite developer CapCo’s promise to provide alternative homes for 750 families who live in council houses in the area. Labour MP Andy Slaughter today said that residents were “steadfastly opposed” to the plans. He said: “I have never seen a developer act so at odds with the interest of the people whose lives they claim to be improving.”
Proposals for the site include offices, hotel and retail space, as well as a new primary school, library, an integrated health centre and more than eight hectares of public open space.
The plan for the site drawn up by Sir Terry Farrell & Partners includes the Earls Court exhibition centres, railway land owned by Transport for London and the West Kensington and Gibbs Green housing estates owned by Hammersmith & Fulham council.
Sir Terry said: “We have developed a masterplan that draws inspiration from the surrounding communities [and] will bring new homes, health and education facilities, as well as remarkable new open space to London.” Gary Yardley, director at CapCo, told the Financial Times: “The scale of economic regeneration is huge.
“It is incredibly rare to get such a big piece of land without multiple ownerships or listed buildings. London needs these jobs and these homes.
“This is a precursor to the bigger Earl’s Court plans. There will be big lateral apartments not really available in Kensington and Chelsea at present but priced to be affordable.”
If the plans are approved construction is due to start after the Olympics.
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