Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Planning and Development Control Committee has granted planning approval for the redevelopment of the former Dairy Crest site, paving the way for new homes and a significant academic facility.
The site, located beneath and bounded by the Westway and West London Railway Line, adjacent to 58 Wood Lane, will see amendments to its previously approved outline planning permission. These changes, approved under a Section 73 application, primarily focus on introducing academic floor space and updating the site's energy and servicing strategies.
The key driver for the amendments is the proposal to include up to 42,000 square metres of academic floor space within the masterplan. This space is earmarked for computer scientists, mathematicians and business experts in a single facility, which will be Imperial's largest ever investment in its history. This will create a globally significant hope for data science, AI and machine learning and deliver an outstanding student experience.
This necessitates changes to key control documents, including parameter plans and the development specification.
The original outline planning permission included a residential element of up to 373 residential units, and the Section 73 application does not seek to alter this number.
Significant revisions also include the removal of a basement ramp and tunnel, which will be replaced by an at-grade servicing arrangement. The development will also see a substantial reduction in car parking, creating a car-light environment with only 23 blue badge spaces proposed. The site's PTAL rating of 6a indicates excellent public transport accessibility, which is expected to support the 'car-light' approach and encourage public transportation usage.
Furthermore, the energy strategy is being updated. The original permission proposed a gas CHP system, but this will now be replaced by a more decentralized air source heat pump system. This will be heated on a plot-by-plot basis, although there are aspirations for this to be connected to a wider heat network. These changes enable an all-electric low-carbon network, supporting Imperial's Net Zero 2040 commitment and the Council's climate goal ambitions.
The redevelopment of the former Dairy Crest site is planned to come forward in four phases and seven zones over an estimated period of 21 years.
The recommendation to grant planning permission was approved, subject to conditions and the completion of a satisfactory deed of variation to the section 106 agreement. The Section 73 application sought to vary conditions related to design codes, parameter plans, use and floorspace, energy strategy, and parking. See the Public reports pack for full details.
