Approval for “outstanding” 20-storey scheme upheld despite contravening local plan height requirements
Housing minister Stuart Andrew has approved Henley Halebrown’s 20-storey residential tower in west London which had attracted opposition due to its height.
A planning inspector’s decision to grant approval to the 133-home Edith Summerskill House development in Hammersmith & Fulham has been upheld by Andrew, who felt the ‘outstanding design quality’ of the scheme outweighed the fact it is not in a location that ordinarily would be permitted to have a high building.
The planned development by HFS Developments, a joint venture between the Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Stanhope Developments, sits on the site of a previous 18-storey block demolished in 2017.
It includes 133 homes which are 100% affordable, with 80% for social rent and 20% for intermediate rent.
> Also read:Henley Halebrown hits out as housing secretary calls in flats after MPs objection
A planning inspector said: “The real genius of this building lies in the overlapping square arrangement of its footprint, its staggered volume, the classical proportions and elevational rhythm of its arched façades, and its inner and outer skins.
“It will make a slender and elegant contribution to the townscape. It will activate the frontages at ground floor level. It will improve the public realm. Its internal arrangements will create functional and sustainable homes of outstanding quality for its residents.”
该计划遭到了一些居民以及切尔西和富勒姆议员格雷格·汉兹的反对。去年，汉兹在推特上发文称:“我们需要富勒姆更多的住房，但不是更多的高楼大厦。”以此回应前住房部长罗伯特·詹瑞克决定叫停该计划。
3Readers' comments