| Topic: | Help save 30-52 Goldhawk Road from demolition | |
| Posted by: | Mr Coll McDonnell | |
| Date/Time: | 20/09/10 11:42:00 |
| It has come to my attention that Hammersmith and Fulham want to make "improvements" to Shepherds Bush market. While some of the suggestions may be welcome the Planning Brief proposes the demolition of 30-52 Goldhawk Road. (A full copy of the draft planning and regeneration brief can be viewed on the Local Plan pages of the council’s website) At the moment this row of shops does not look much. (This is in part due to the fact that late last century Hammersmith and Fulham enforced the removal of cornicing on "health and safety grounds".) But the reality is this terrace was built in the early to mid nineteenth century and they are good examples of Victorian shops. The fact that they have fallen on hard times is no reason to have them demolished. Rather this should be seen as an opportunity to have them restored to their former charm. The Planning Brief suggests relocating the businesses to within the redeveloped market. But this terrace of shops brings atmosphere and community to the Goldhawk Road. Not one of these shops is part of a chain - many are family firms - and the Pie and Mash shop has been in that location since 1899. It would not be the same to simply relocate them. There is a real danger that we will be turning a vibrant and interesting (if somewhat rundown) part of Shepherds Bush into something bland and average. The Planning Brief goes on to describe 30-53 Goldhawk Road as being of a 'scale that is no longer appropriate for this part of the Goldhawk Road townscape'. But the height of this terrace is very much part of their charm. We have lost much good architecture in the area, such as Shepherds Bush station, in recent years. Lets stop the destruction of yet more good buildings. Please register your objections by email at SBMarket@lbhf.gov.uk or call Jackie Simkins in the council’s planning department on 020 8753 3460. The deadline for the council to receive responses is 5pm on Monday, October 11. |