British Land Propose Zero Affordable Housing
Amended plans for High Street development cuts level from 19% to 0%
A well attended Better Putney meeting was held last week, with a mixture of concerned residents, businesses, local Councillors and senior members of the Putney Society – and the conclusion was that we should continue to push back. The plans are due to go to the Council’s Planning meeting on July 14th – and we need to get objections in well ahead of then, by July 6th.
What was originally proposed was a 7 storey building on the High Street – rising to 8 on Felsham Road. It already had a low percentage of affordable housing at 19% against a Council target of 33%. The major development on the High Street will be going to the Planning meeting on July 14th - and residents can object to it until July 6th.
Better Putney's spokesman Keith Hawkins said: "At 6 storeys on the High Street it is way out of scale - and the lack of affordable housing shows the greed of the developers. They may well have over-paid for the site, or need to pay out to those businesses with their long leases - but that is no excuse to propose a development with fundamental flaws".
"Having such a big building right on the High Street sets a precedent - making it more likely that another will be developed on the other side in due course - all adding to the "canyon" air pollution effect".
He continued: "The proposed public square is an excuse - being way to small - and the space set aside for community ventures (such as Eddie Catz) is in a basement two levels down - with an entrance in the delivery area for trucks and refuse collection - whcih is an obvious safety hazard for mothers and young children".
"We were delighted with such a big turnout of residents, businesses and Councillors to our meeting - showing the depth of feeling against this poorly thought through development"
We will be briefing the Councillors on the Planning committee and Justine Greening MP when we meet with her next week. We call upon British Land to re-think their plans for this site - and finally engage with the community properly to develop this site to improve Putney - not damage it".
Details and comments on the development can be made at the Councils website:
planning.wandsworth.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=planning&appNumber=2014/7344
The Thamesfield Councillors have been asked for their views on the zero affordable living and their response will be added.
56-70 Putney High Street
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Amended proposal seen from Putney High Street |
And from Fesham Rd looking down Walkers Place |
June 25, 2015