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Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury |
Neighbours
hit roof over centre flats
‘We are so sick of disturbance’
LONG-SUFFERING residents are worried they may have
to fight developers refurbishing the 1960s Brunswick Centre
in Bloomsbury as plans to add an extra storey to the Grade II-listed
building are rumoured to have been drawn up.
Property developer Allied London has been working for 18 months
on £22-million improvements to the centre’s shops
and homes – and because the original architect Patrick
Hodkinson designed the centre to allow an extra storey to be
fitted, there are fears more building work could be in the pipeline
once the current work is finished. A spokesman from Allied London
could not confirm the plans yesterday (Wednesday) - however,
Brunswick Tenants and Residents Association chairman Stewart
Tappin revealed plans for penthouse flats had been discussed
at a residents’ meeting this week.
He said: “There was a universally negative reaction. We
are so sick of the disturbance. If the plans went ahead there
would be a riot. Finishing one tranche of work just to start
on another would be just too much.”
Mr Tappin, a structural engineer, added that he felt the developers
had already tested residents’ goodwill.
He said: “It is seen as a scheme that makes Allied London
lots of money with few benefits for the people who live here.
So far, we have had our balconies painted but not much else.
Their builders have acted as if the place is empty. There has
been so much noise.”
His concerns have been echoed by businesses and conservation
groups in the area.
Andi Ingle, owner of the Renoir art-house cinema in the centre,
said he would not welcome any further building work. His cinema
has been closed during the day because of noise and Allied London
has paid compensation for the loss of ticket sales. He said:
“It is Grade II-listed for a good reason.”
Bloomsbury Conservation Area Advisory Committee chairman Tony
Tugnutt, who worked with English Heritage list the centre at
the end of the 1990s, said his group would oppose any further
development.
He said: “It is a high-density area for homes. It would
change how much sunlight the space gets.”
Catherine Croft, director of architectural pressure group the
20th Century Society, said any addition would have to be carried
out sympathetically.
She added: “It could alter the sky line and we would fight
any attempts to have new lift towers.” |
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