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Nov 14, 2020

Scale-of-density-of-Stag-Brewery-Proposed-Development

The redevelopment of the Stag Brewery site is a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise Mortlake, reconnect it with the River Thames and create a new town centre that serves its community.

 

The developer’s plan is unsafe, unsustainable and unhealthy

Reselton Properties Ltd, a  wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based City Developments Ltd (CDL), submitted a planning application for more than 20 new housing blocks on the Stag Brewery site. This would nearly double the population of Mortlake. 

The site is boxed in by the Thames and the railway line with one access road, forcing more cars onto Mortlake’s clogged, polluted streets. We already suffer poor air quality, long tailbacks and risks to safety every day on the congested Lower Richmond Road and at the dangerous Sheen Lane level crossing, now even worse because of the closure of Hammersmith Bridge. And yet, there are no adequate measures for the extra pressure on our roads and public services the development would create.

The number of flats, the height of the blocks and the projected population are all far bigger than planning guidance allows for in the London Plan, the Richmond Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

The City Developments proposal uses central London housing density in a suburban setting, building over precious green space and overshadowing the historic Maltings building on the Thames. City Developments wants to squeeze 1,250 units onto a 22 acre constrained site.

We also object to the proposal to squeeze in a secondary school on to this site. Local Head teachers have said that the school is not needed. All nearby secondary schools have capacity to take extra pupils and space for expansion if needed in the future. If this unnecessary  school is built, we will lose the historic brewery playing fields, 5.4 acres of precious green space which would not be replaced.

This would leave the largest open space in the new development at only two thirds of an acre.

The community-led alternative

We believe community Redevelopment of the Stag Brewery is a chance to build high quality, sustainable and affordable housing, along with a hub that  community with decent public services and good transport links. Precious green space should be protected, with new housing designed in keeping with the historic brewery buildings, more open space and a pedestrianised link to the Thames.

We want a new, sustainable, Mortlake town centre that is environmentally friendly, protecting green space and fit for the 21st century, with a community centre and health centre:

  • A maximum of 700 new homes, with ample affordable and social rent housing, at lower heights, with fewer car parking spaces.
  • Moving Thomson House primary school to the brewery site from its two cramped sites either side of the dangerous Sheen Lane level crossing, instead of building a new secondary school.
  • No buildings higher than the existing historic brewery buildings and a design that respects the river-oriented heritage and fosters an integrated community.
  • A travel plan that works for everyone, prioritising active travel

We are calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan to meet with us and consider the Community’s alternative plan. We are also calling on him to prevent any building until Hammersmith Bridge is fully re-opened.

Click here to read our detailed presentation on the Community Plan.

The planning process

Richmond Council has objected to the plan because of the density and design. The council and the community also object to the height and design of the blocks, of up to 10 storeys, which are higher than the historic brewery buildings and overshadow listed buildings next to the site.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan was due to decide the planning application in an online hearing on Thursday 26th November but this has been deferred sine die. Do sign-up to our newsletter to stay abreast of new developments.

 

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