Hammersmith and Fulham's Planning and Development Control Committee has approved amendments to the outline planning permission for the redevelopment of land north of Westfield London Shopping Centre. The revisions, submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, aim to improve the deliverability and viability of the scheme.
The approved changes include alterations to building heights and massing, a reduction in residential and commercial floorspace provision, and a revised affordable housing offer. The overall number of residential units will decrease from a maximum of 1,700 to 1,674, with the commercial floorspace reduced from up to 2,510 sqm to 813 sqm. The affordable housing offer has been revised from 20% by unit to 17% by unit, with a key change being an increase in the provision of social rented homes and the number of family homes. The proposal now aims to provide 75% social rent and 25% intermediate rent.
Key revisions also involve a redesigned core layout for all blocks to comply with Building Safety Act requirements. This redesign was necessitated by the Building Safety Act 2022 and updated building safety regulations, specifically the updated Building Regulation Approved Document B published in March 2024, which requires all buildings over 18m or comprising 7 storeys to have two staircases. The new regulations required the addition of an extra lift and staircase per residential core, as well as more stringent compartmentalisation requirements for common corridors. Adjustments to block layouts have also been made to improve daylight and views, and Blocks 2 and 9 have been removed to create a more open and permeable site. The podium level has been reduced in size, allowing Blocks 4, 5, and 6 to extend to ground level, resulting in a more accessible public square.
A single-level basement is proposed, significantly reducing the quantum of on-site car parking. A new two-storey pavilion building is introduced in the location of the former Block 9. This pavilion is intended initially as a marketing suite and will later be converted into a public amenity space, such as a café, a community facility, or affordable workspace.
The development, which spans approximately 2.06 hectares, is located north of Westfield London, bounded by the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines viaduct to the north, railway lines and Marathon Way to the east, Silver Street and the White City Living development to the west, and Newall Court and Bronze Walk to the south.
The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement Addendum, which assessed the potential environmental impacts during demolition, construction, and operation. Technical assessments indicated acceptable environmental impacts, and the scheme was deemed compliant with relevant planning policies.
While some harm to heritage assets was identified, it was considered to be at the lowest degree and outweighed by substantial public benefits, including housing delivery, environmental benefits, and public realm improvements. Specifically, 'less than substantial harm' was identified to the setting of heritage assets within RBKC, including the Avondale Park Gardens Conservation Area and the Grade II Listed Dimco Building. This harm was considered to be at the lower end of less than substantial harm. The proposal is considered to represent a sustainable development, optimising the use of a strategic brownfield site.
Based on an assumed start date in January 2028, residents could occupy the first completed Block 6 from Q4 2031. The EIA assessment estimates the development works would be undertaken over a 16 years and 8-month period, completing by September 2044. The development is projected to generate construction-related full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs over the build period and jobs once the development is complete and operational. Employment and training initiatives secured through the S106 agreement would bring significant benefits to the local area, while a local procurement initiative would be entered into by way of the legal agreement to provide support for businesses.
More information can be found in the Public reports pack.