West End letters: strategy | Oxford Street

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 7 November 2008

Strategy for Oxford Street

• Good to see the continuing debate about the future of the eastern end of Oxford Street initiated by the excellent letter from the West End ward councillors (October 17).
It may be helpful to look more closely at the environmental consequences of large scale redevelopment and the alternative strategy.
Not only are the individual plots in this part of the street narrower, they are more importantly much shallower; immediately behind these frontages the scale changes to a more domestic one. This hinterland is within conservation areas and home to significant residential communities.
With present day requirements for rear servicing and access any redevelopment of the Oxford Street frontage would blow open and destroy the qualities of this hinterland. Think, for example, of the narrow lanes which form the Hanway Street/Place enclave. The reality is that redevelopment of the Oxford Street frontage would devastate whole swathes of the areas to the north and south.
What is the alternative? Yes, the eastern end of Oxford Street looks a bit tatty but much of this is superficial due to the proliferation of canopies, blinds, signage and other excrescences, forecourt displays and poorly maintained buildings (something likely to continue while the threat of demolition hangs over them).
Look beyond these superficialities and the buildings form an interesting, if eclectic, mix of 19th and early 20th century buildings, some of listable quality and most of interest. The appropriate and sustainable strategy is for a policy of refurbishment and where necessary replacement with appropriate scaled infill rather wholesale redevelopment. In fact a study should now be initiated to analyse the existing buildings and their potential for refurbishment as well as those where replacement by sensitive infill is more appropriate.
These small scale and yes lower rental units would, accompanied by a letting strategy, form the basis for an interesting mix of specialist shops adding an element of variety to contrast with the onward march of the multiples.
Max Neufeld
Chairman Charlotte Street
Association, W1

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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