Native Land and Transport for London have withdrawn plans for a 50-home scheme on top of South Kensington tube station, days before it went to committee.
Plans would see 129,000 sq ft of development space, with a five-storey residential block, a four-storey office and ground floor retail. They include demolition and redevelopment of the Bullnose and the Thurloe Street Building (pictured), with refurbishment along Thurloe Street, and a new block on Pelham Street.
The joint venture’s plans were recommended for approval by officers at the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. However, they raised concerns about the designs. In documents ahead of the 3 June committee, officers noted the “overtly contemporary architectural language” which they said was inappropriate in the context of heritage assets and that the plans “fail to preserve the character and appearance” of the conservation area. However, they added “the general design is well considered, engaging, well-detailed, and highly functional”.
The application received 1,939 objections and 689 letters in support, with backing from local institutions including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The joint venture intends to make amendments in response. This is likely to include a reduction in height and glazing. These changes will be subject to consultation, with a new committee date expected this autumn. It follows revisions to the plans earlier this year.
A spokesman for the joint venture said: “We have asked that RBKC defer its planning committee so that we can work with the borough on some further refinements to the designs to address some of the remaining issues raised in the officer’s report.
“Our plans provide for a considered, contextual scheme that will bring a renewed sense of place to South Kensington as well as a wide range of public benefits, and we look forward to bringing the proposals forward.”
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