Wandsworth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved a phased opening for the Nine Elms Hotel project, a decision designed to accelerate the availability of accommodation and deliver associated community benefits. The North hotel is expected to open first, as it has a shorter estimated construction period than the South hotel by 7 months. The applicant estimates completion of both hotels by March 2028.
The committee unanimously approved a variation to a Section 106 agreement, which initially restricted occupation of the two approved hotels on Nine Elms Lane until both were fully completed. The updated agreement now allows for phased occupation, meaning one hotel can open before the other is finished. A long stop date of December 2028 has been included in the updated legal agreement to ensure all expected benefits of the scheme are delivered, even if only one of the hotels is completed. The applicant would still be required to complete the Public Open Space Works, the Pedestrian and Cycle Routes and the Highways Works.
During the meeting, Ms. Tucker explained that previously, there wasn't a specific date for the applicant to complete the hotels, only a standard timeframe to commence development. The long stop date was introduced to ensure all benefits are achieved, even if only one hotel is delivered initially. The updated agreement would secure the phased delivery of the works on site, which would link to the phased occupation of the hotels.
Councillor Guy Humphreys voiced support for the pragmatic solution, stating:
It sounds a pragmatic solution to make sure this thing actually happens, because we want it to come out of the ground and actually be built after a long history we've had on this site.
He sought reassurance that the public benefits would still be delivered even if only half the scheme was completed. Officials confirmed that contracted lawyers had reviewed every obligation in the original Section 106 agreement to ensure all previously secured benefits would still be achieved. The specific community benefits are not detailed in the meeting information.
The approved variation aims to facilitate the efficient delivery of the hotel project while safeguarding the community benefits initially agreed upon. The mechanism for monitoring and enforcement is not explicitly detailed in the provided text.