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Property purchase orders pave way for start of £18bn Crossrail
Owners have three months to win compensation ahead of the bulldozers
THE future of the eastern end of Oxford Street became clearer this week as 13 property acquisition notices were issued by Crossrail, paving the way for work to start on the £18billion project.
The move has been hailed as a “catalyst” for the regeneration of the more down-at-heel end of Oxford Street, with its noodle bars, pound shops and cap stalls.
Landlords, including the owners of the famous Astoria music venue, have until January to thrash out a compensation package before the bulldozers move in to start work on an enlarged Tottenham Court Road Underground station.
But not everyone is in agreement, with fears that the area’s historical character will be ravished by the pending demolition, and that higher rents will force out independent businesses.
In a letter to the paper this week, chairwoman of the New West End Company, Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas said the purchase orders were a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to enhance the street – the first step in changing the character of the area.
Last week three Westminster councillors who represent the area criticised the council and NWEC for its plans to redevelop the street. The repossessions are the first nail in their campaign coffin, foreshadowing higher rents that would see more high-end retail chains move into the area.
The affected properties are in Oxford Street, Dean Street, Falconberg Court, Charing Cross Road, Sutton Row, Goslett Yard, Great Chapel Street, Fareham Street and Diadem Court.
Developer Derwent London owns the site on which the Astoria in Charing Cross Road is situated and plans to redevelop the area once the Crossrail project is completed, and will include plans for a smaller music venue and theatre.
Crossrail bosses said the purchase orders were not unexpected because landlords and their tenants at the time were named in the Crossrail parliamentary bill.
The rail scheme will link Maidenhead in Berkshire to Shenfield in Essex via Heathrow and central London with stations at Paddington, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road.
As a result of the redevelopment, the station will become six times larger to include a new ticket hall and platforms.
A statement from Crossrail said: “On October 14 2008 the Secretary of State for Transport appointed Cross London Rail Links Ltd, the company responsible for delivering the railway, as nominated agent for the acquisition of property.
“To enable major redevelopment of the station, a number of properties will need to be compulsorily purchased and demolished.
“The affected properties were named in the Crossrail Bill when it was deposited in 2005. All those with an interest in the properties were advised and were able to object.”
The eastern end of Oxford Street boasts more historic architecture than the western side.
Resident Chris Howard said: “It is steeped in history. We like the fact we have more history than the western side.
“Crossrail will be destroying most of the junction of Charing Cross Road, Oxford Street and New Oxford Street to make way for the station. The charm of the little streets behind will be lost forever.” |
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