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An artist’s impression of the rejected plans |
BARRACKS DEVELOPERS IN THE WARS
Planning chiefs throw out controversial designs for St John’s Wood
THE developers masterminding the transformation of St John’s Wood Barracks have been ordered to “radically” rethink their plans in the face of a groundswell of opposition.
Planning chiefs at Westminster City Council tore up plans that would have seen 123 homes created on the site of the famous barracks which have been home to one of the most prestigious ceremonial regiments in the army, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery for the past 50 years.
The decision last Thursday echoed the sentiments of residents living nearby that the designs were unimaginative and “characterless”, as well as challenging landowners the Eyre Estate to provide more facilities for the area, amid fears it will be a “gated community”.
Under current designs, only the Grade II-listed riding school would be safe from the wrecking ball – so that it could be turned into a leisure centre for sole use by residents living within the development. It would have spelt the end for the historic officers’ mess and the blocks of 1970s buildings currently on the site in Ordinance Hill.
Anxiety over what will replace the barracks has been growing ever since the ?Ministry of Defence announced it was leaving the five-acre site when their lease expired in 2012. More than 170 soldiers and 109 horses, part of the regiment who transported Princess Diana’s casket to Westminster Abbey in 1997, are set to leave.
More than 100 residents, including celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke, wrote to the council, urging them to spike the plans ahead of last week’s crunch planning meeting.
Criticism is levelled at the bland architecture, the “overdevelopment” of the site, a dearth of community benefits and the creation of a social apartheid between affordable and private homes on the site – an army barracks since 1810.
Andrew Mainz, chairman of the St John’s Wood Society, said: “This is affirmation that the rich and powerful don’t always win.
“Never in all the time I’ve lived in the area has there been so much outcry. Basically they wanted to plonk a characterless office block-type building in the middle of a conservation area. The whole thing was a joke, not to mention trying to turn it into a gated community. We are happy the plans are dead in the water because this site deserves real quality.”
Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster Council said: “We place great emphasis on design in Westminster and are campaigning to see outstanding works of architecture.
“This is a sensitive location and we need to ensure this important development fits in with the more traditional character of this much-loved area.
“The architecture proposed for the barracks site was not of sufficient quality nor did it reflect the special character of this part of Westminster, which is itself unique. After considering the representations received, the committee felt it wanted to look more closely at the issue regarding the loss of the officer’s mess.
“This is an unlisted building of merit and we need to consider whether it is right to be demolished or should be incorporated into the plans.
“While the provision of affordable housing on site is an excellent part of these proposals, the committee felt that the development should inspire and benefit both the community who will be living on the site as well as those in the wider community and their needs to be more thought given to where children who live there can play.
He added: “The developer also needs to address the concerns of local residents so the buildings do not overpower their homes by blocking their light and views with their height and bulk as well as giving more thought to parking on site.”
No one from the Eyre Estate was available to comment. |
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