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Tory council retreats on 'Thames blight' plan after Boris steps in
Peter Dominiczak, Ross Lydall, and Lucy Osborne16 Dec 2011
David Cameron's favourite Tory council has been humiliated into a retreat over its plan to redevelop Hammersmith town hall after a dramatic intervention by the Mayor.
Boris Johnson today said he was "glad that common sense has prevailed" after Hammersmith & Fulham council rowed back on its application to construct 290 flats and a council building overlooking the Thames.
Thousands of residents, including act- ress Vanessa Redgrave, expressed anger at the plan, which would have required the demolition of Hammersmith's only cinema and the eviction of blind residents from a sheltered housing block.
They were concerned that the height of the apartment blocks in King Street would blight a stretch of the river that has escaped the "canyonisation" seen in nearby Putney and Battersea.
A City Hall source today said the Mayor told council chiefs he would not let the plan go ahead because it breached planning rules, adding: "After intense discussions with Mr Johnson, they agreed to withdraw the application."
The project was opposed by 38 residents' associations, English Heritage and 8,500 residents who signed a petition - including actors Joely Richardson, Ralph Fiennes and Dame Sheila Hancock, director Sir Trevor Nunn and artist Sir Peter Blake.
Mr Johnson told the Standard: "This proposal caused much anger in the community and I am glad that common sense has prevailed. We must protect historic buildings, precious green space and the views of our great city. I am sure the council's decision will be welcomed in Hammersmith and beyond."
The flagship Tory authority has previously said demolishing the "ugly and costly town hall extension" would save £18million a year and regenerate "a run-down corner of the borough".
It came under further attack today after refusing to reveal whether the plan would go back to the drawing board or be axed completely. Redgrave called on the council to "show more courtesy and responsibility" to residents by explaining itself. Fellow campaigner Amelia Cheyne said she was "hopeful this means plans won't go ahead".
The council's application is still live and could potentially still be referred back to the Mayor at a future date.
Council sources today insisted the application has not been completely withdrawn. A spokesman for the authority refused to comment.
Reader views (7)
@ H London.
You clearly either don't live in the Borough or are not familiar with the plans. If you knew the area you'd understand the issues ... and it's not about preserving house prices!
- mike, london, 16/12/2011 18:37
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The troglodytes and nimbys have beaten off a perfectly sensible proposal. King Street will remain blighted and the hideous town hall extension will carry on falling apart at huge expense. Well done, they've protected their house prices and that's what counts.
- H, London, 16/12/2011 15:36
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Once again Boris has shown that he is the best leader in Britain (and Europe) today. He supported the democratic will of the people of Hammersmith and stood up to a bullying local council that was trying to push through an unpopular scheme for the benefit of its councillors and staff. We are very lucky to have Boris as mayor.
- Charles, Hammersmith, 16/12/2011 15:18
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Respect to Boris - who has shown more guts than the weak Planning Application Committee Councillors.
- Kevin, Hammersmith, 16/12/2011 13:28
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"The council's application is still live and could potentially still be referred back to the Mayor at a future date."
Like the day after the London Mayoral election in May 2012.
- Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher, 16/12/2011 13:01
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Thank you Boris for listening and respecting the wishes of hammersmith residents.
- Robert, Hammersmith, 16/12/2011 12:52
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One example where Boris has been right to step-in and say No.
- Christopher Crowdy, Chelsea S W 3, 16/12/2011 11:52
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