Category Archives: Clapham Junction

In an alternative reality, the Council is giving itself a ‘pat on the back’

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Author: Cyril Richert

New façade of the Alchemist pub in St John’s Hill

The façade of the Fishmonger/Alchemist pub in St John’s Hill has been “restored” with an additional element on the left of the original building. The Council is now claiming that it has been “restored back to its original Victorian-era splendour after the council took legal action to force the developer to rebuild it“.

However in reality the initial planning permission to knock down the façade and rebuild was refused, the developers did it anyway, then submitted a retrospective application similar to their original one, this time approved by the Council. Continue reading →

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Winstanley regeneration: Can we trust the Council?

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Author: Cyril Richert

Following the initial consultation in 2013, the Council has presented several exhibitions (so-called “consultations”) of what Ravi Govindia calls now “the vision created with the help of the local residents“.

As the leader of the Council might reveal soon the 50+ storey landmark that he is planning for the area (nicknamed Govindia Wharf) this is interesting to see the difference between what local residents responded to and the current presentations.

Board presenting the result of the consultation in 2013

Evolution of the size of the leisure centre proposal from 2013 to 2018

Evolution of the size of the Grant Road proposal from 2013 to 2018

Evolution of the size of the main Winstanley blocks proposal from 2013 to 2018

Do you think this is a definition of “taking into account the result of consultation“?

And by the way, this is Winstanley & York estates in 2018:

Winstanley & York Road estates in 2018

Shop Stop is being sold for £100m

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Author: Cyril Richert

The 70,000 sq ft retail parade constructed in 1987, Shop Stop scheme at the entrance to Clapham Junction station on St John’s Hill, SW11 is being sold.

The shopping parade was previously owned by the Metro Shopping Fund, the joint-venture with Landsec and Delancey, but is now 100% owned by DV4, clients of Delancey, having bought in the other 50% in April 2017. The price is said to be around £100m – a circa 4% yield

Current retailers include a 5,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s Central, M&S Simply Food, Paperchase, Café Nero, Hotel Chocolat, Mac Cosmetics and Monsoon, as well as a 14,000 sq ft gym let to Fitness First. The property also contains office space on the first and second floors, with additional basement parking. Continue reading →

PCS to become a NHS centre

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Author: Cyril RichertThe saga of the PCS building continues. A planning application (2018/2208) is being submitted to transform the first floor from office space to a healthcare facility.

Harmless enough, it seems to be due to the local community healthcare services having been transferred from St Georges NHS trust (who already have local facilities in the area) to Central London NHS trust (who don’t have many); it’s been a bit of an issue for a while in health circles and this seems a reasonably pragmatic (and cheap) solution. The NHS should receive appointments from hospitals for maternity/sexual health. Continue reading →

Winstanley regeneration: when the “consultation” becomes a farce

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Author: Cyril Richert

Latest plans for skyscrapers on York Gardens

“With the latest developments along York Road, we have now potentials for even taller buildings“, I was told at the Winstanley & York exhibition in November 2017 by the head of the project team.

New “landmark tower” (32 storeys) on York Garden

Indeed he was right: every new exhibition the building size increases by X% and their new proposal shows a 32 storey tower (as usual called “a landmark tower“), which is part of a block including also a 20 storey tower and a 17 storey tower! Continue reading →

An opportunity for Falcon Bridge?

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Author: Cyril Richert

Falcon Bridge in 2018

You have probably used Falcon Bridge in the past, this very large path under the Clapham Junction tracks. This under-path is often blamed not only for its unwelcoming experience (why is it so dark?), but also for the “division” it creates between the Lavender Hill area of mostly Victorian design and the modern blocks of Winstanley and York estates.

Wandsworth Council has invited residents, businesses and local school children to comment on design proposals to refurbish a large railway bridge. The aim is to improve the appearance and feel of the underpass, turning it into an attractive and user-friendly route for pedestrians and cyclists.

According to the Press Release, Wandsworth Council, in conjunction with the London Festival of Architecture, launched the call out to architects, designers, artists and students back in January – and have now unveiled the final proposals from the six shortlisted designers or architects.

Design by Jan Kattein Architects

Continue reading →

Network Rail reveals ambitious plans for Clapham Junction station

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Author: Cyril Richert

Clapham Junction station: Brighton Yard entrance

At the beginning of April, it was announced that Network Rail has taken over the running of the station to allow it to take any decisions on its redevelopment more easily.

NR is looking at options to relieve congestion in the short term, as well as investigating the feasibility of a massive station redevelopment in the longer term.
Continue reading →