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Artist’s impression of the new buildings |
Victoria’s massive makeover gets the go-ahead
THE bulldozers are primed to move in on Victoria after planners gave the green light to a multi-million-pound makeover.
Selborne House in Victoria Street and Wellington House in Buckingham Gate will both feel the full force of the wrecking ball, while the dilapidated bus shelter is set for a £20,000 makeover.
The council’s planning committee approved the recession-busting scheme last week.
Built in the 1960s, Selborne House will be turned into a 13-storey retail and office building, boasting more windows than any other building in Victoria, as well as a green wall and roof.
In place of Wellington House will be a 10-storey building, including 59 new flats.
Councillor Robert Davis, cabinet member for the built environment, said: “There are excellent creative and exciting elements to these proposals, with Selborne House delighting passers-by with its curving glass front, and Wellington House set to inspire with a façade whose concept draws on text on a page, music scores and nature.
There will certainly be no tears shed for the ugly buildings these exciting new developments will replace.”
Approval was subject to a number of conditions, including pavement widening, creating a new public space next to Westminster City Hall, and money for a community project in St James’s Park. |
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