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Open-air venue set to rescue derelict site in Oxford Street
Ruth Bloomfield03.09.09
A derelict building site in Oxford Street could be turned into an open-air venue, hosting farmers' markets, ice-skating and concerts for up to 5,000 people.
Developer Land Securities had hoped to build a £350million block of flats, with prices per property starting at an estimated £2million.
It won planning permission last year but work has been delayed because of legal complications and the recession.
The firm is concerned that the site could become a wasteland and is asking Westminster council for permission to turn it into a temporary public square.
The square could host anything from fashion shows to reality TV shows, corporate parties, charity events, market stalls, film premieres, fun fairs and ice rinks, according to the proposal.
But residents claim the venue will cause noise and disturbance, particularly if alcohol is served at events.
Westminster, which will consider the plan at a meeting tonight, says the proposal is "welcomed in principle" although it recognises "potential for some disturbance" which may mean it restricts activities allowed on the site.
The news comes amid mounting concern that scores of building sites across London have been abandoned during the recession, creating eyesores across the city and blighting the West End.
The land in question faces Selfridges, and takes over the block bounded by Oxford Street, Park Street, North Row and North Audley Street.
Park House, the Sixties tower block which formerly stood there, was pulled down more than a year ago.
A spokesman for Land Securities said: "Everyone in the area is keen that there should be some sort of activity on this site so that it does not become a wasteland, and that there is still a reason for people to visit the area. I think the council is keen on this whole idea."
The flats would have been the first major development in Oxford Street for more than 40 years and would also have included offices and shops.
The spokesman said it had not been scrapped and that the firm was "minded" to begin work at some point next year.
"We want to deliver the building into a rising market," he said. "It will take two and a half to three years to build and we think that the West End will come back quicker than the rest of London, and if it was ready by 2012 it would be good timing."
The news will put pressure on the owners of another key site, the former Middlesex Hospital site in Fitzrovia, which has been lying derelict since plans to redevelop it collapsed.
Residents are calling for it to be turned into community allotments while its future is decided.
Mayor Boris Johnson is known to support the proposal to turn the site over to food production as part of his campaign to establish 2,000 kitchen gardens in time for the 2012 Olympics.
Developer Stanhope Plc is in negotiations with the site's owners, the Icelandic bank Kaupthing, over plans for the three-acre site. The hospital was torn down three years ago.
Reader views (6)
It's a lovely idea. 100% in favour!
- Rod, Epping, UK
Good to see another glass tower block approved by Ken Livingstone biting the dust thanks to the recession. Boris, make this a beautiful green space for all Londoners to enjoy.
- Sarah, London
DW - good thinking but sadly not the right place. Crossrail Bond Street will also link to Oxford Circus, so it connects to the Bakerloo and Victoria lines. This site is a bit too far away for that, and the Central Line is already too crowded to handle the interchange passengers.
- Nigel, London
There are acres of developer desert in Central London.
Suggestion...
How about legislating for compulsory purchase by the Mayor of London and transforming these wastelands into permanent public parks and squares.
Or...
Buy back the land at reduced price and sell back to responsible developers in five years time with stringent planning guidelines.
- David, London
The building that was demolished was one of the UCL Halls. (When I lived there, it was called Goldsmid, not Park House.) I think this would be a thoughtful and creative use of the space.
- S.R., London, UK
They could build the new Crossrail station there with underground travelators to Bond Street and Marble Arch. This would minimise any disruption at Bond Street, and Crossrail could take some profit from the buildings above.
- D.W., London
