As a major site in the town centre the report states that 'change is inevitable'
CGI of inner courtyard
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The Planning Inspectorate has granted approval for the multi use application for 45-53 Putney High Street, known as Levellers Court which has frontage on both Putney High Street and Putney Bridge Road.
The original application was made in 2017, the scheme proposed buildings between two and 10 storeys high to provide 123 residential units plus a public courtyard on the first floor. The council rejected it on the grounds of it being too tall and overbearing and because it did not have a proper public square.and was rejected by Wandsworth Council Planning Department as
“..inappropriate form of development.. unduly dominant ... detrimental to the streetscape” in January 2018.
In September 2018 the developers appealed against the decision, and this Monday (29 July) the decision was over-ruled. In summary the planning inspector, Christina Downes BSc DipTP MRTPI said:
- Site is within a designated Major Town Centre by the Mayor of London. Highly accessible by public transport. As a major site in the town centre, change is inevitable
- Current buildings not of any architectural interest
- Will be able to provide mixed development of office; residential; public square; retail (NB - the 'square' is at first floor level due to the vehicular access needed at ground level)
- Influenced by the high quality of design by architects Grimshaw (projects include redevelopment of Paddington Station, The Eden Project; & many others)
However she did set 43 conditions upon the development, and noted that:
• The site is in an Air Quality Management Area and that mitigation measures should be included in the design to ensure no deterioration in air quality
• The Travel Plan should encourage modal choice - it includes car clubs and cycle hire.
Local Thamesfield councillor Mike Ryder, (on left of picture) said, “Myself and my colleagues, Rosemary Torrington and John Locker, are very disappointed at this decision as we have opposed this scheme from the start because we shared residents’ views that it was simply too big and too tall, and lacked a proper public space. I spoke at the public inquiry at the town hall and urged the planning inspector to back the council’s rejection of the scheme and respect local democracy, as this site is just a stone’s throw from St Mary’s Church, site of the 1647 Putney Debates and the birthplace of modern British democracy.”
The architect and developer have been asked to comment on the decision.
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August 8, 2019
