Grenfell regulation brings new round of consultation for the Mortlake Stag Brewery redevelopment
Yet another round of consultations related to the redevelopment of the Former Stag Brewery site has just commenced. This is required because of recent amendments to the scheme which was approved by Richmond in July this year. The new designs have been necessary to comply with new fire regulations imposed by the Government as a result of the Grenfell Tower disaster, and where any residential building above 18m must have a second means of escape. This has required Reselton to revise the layout and the design of nine buildings east of Ship Lane.
The consultations relate only to Application A (Ref:22/0900/OUT).
Application B for the secondary school currently planned on the playing fields is not included as this is unaffected by the new fire regulations and remains as consented by Richmond in July.
Redesign brings no improvements
The new designs include the following amendments:-
- The number of residential units has reduced slightly to a site wide total of 1075
- The internal layout and design of residential buildings east of Ship Lane are revised and include some minor modifications to visual appearance to accommodate the second staircases
- The space above the cinema has now become residential units to compensate for the loss of residential floor area in some of the other buildings due to the second stairs requirement.
- There are some minor modifications to the office floor space and the ‘flexible’ space, generally located at ground floor on the revised buildings.
- The affordable housing content is now at 7% of the total residential floor space, with Richmond insisting on 80% being social rented units, and with the majority 3 bed family units.
- The relevant drawings, design codes and support reports have been amended to take account of the changes.
- A full description of all the changes is outlined in the submission’s covering letter from Gerald Eve – dated 3rd November 2023 – if you wish to read the details.
The consultations are related only to these design amendments to the scheme approved by Richmond in July this year – (which incidentally was never submitted to the Mayor of London for his consideration because the new fire regulations dictated this latest re-design).
In due course, and after this next round of consultations, an updated Planning Committee report will be prepared and referred to the Planning Committee. The council’s formal Notice of these consultations – issued 20 November – states:-
“Only matters arising from the amendments will be considered in this report including the degree to which the amendments affect the merit of granting permission, in addition to any change in policy since July 2023.’’ –
MBCG says the Mortlake Brewery redevelopment still unacceptable for the local community
In essence the proposals still do not address the long-standing concerns and objections which have been broadly raised to this re-development. The Mortlake Brewery Community Group has always supported the concept of a sustainable mixed use redevelopment on the Stag site. However, sadly the proposals remain a regurgitation of stale ideas and still represent a retrogressive concept with designs mannered in the past rather than creating an inspiring, progressive new environment that looks to the future.
Strictly speaking Richmond are only seeking comments on the new design amendments but we suggest that your representations also re-iterate those concerns and objections you may have already made to the previous application which was heard by committee this July.
The key issues remain that:
- The cumulative impact of the proposals are still far too dense and introduce an urban density in this otherwise riverside, sub-urban environment which is predominantly 2 and 3 storey in scale
- The scale of the scheme will generate a significant increase in traffic which will add to the already intolerable congestion on the local roads and infrastructure
- The new design provides even less affordable homes than earlier schemes -well below provisions previously rejected by the Mayor, and also below Richmond’s own Planning Policy. The developer cites increased construction costs, the 80% social rented units and requirement for 3 bed units, together with new energy regulations as key factors which have affected the scheme’s viability, and thus this affordable offer.
- Many of the buildings are still above the height limit set by Richmond -a maximum of 7 storeys
- Despite a very significant fall in primary school pupil numbers, the Council still insists that the developer accommodates a massive secondary school (Application B) for which there is little parental appetite and which results in the total loss of the existing sports fields – ‘protected open space’ as designated in the Local Plan. This precious space is NOT re-provisioned in Application A in compliance with policy.
ACT NOW!
The formal consultation period of 21 days now commences and those of you who have made previous comments/objections to the proposals will be notified if you haven’t already. Whether you have or not, we strongly urge you to make your views and objections know to the Council, as you see fit. This can be done easily on-line via the Richmond Planning Portal.
The proposals will then go to a formal Planning Committee, probably early next year, but this process could possibly be delayed if the application is stalled by the period of ‘purdah’ before the Mayoral elections in May (and perhaps even a General Election).
We will of course keep you updated on dates/timescales and probably hold another Public Meeting in St.Mary’s before the new scheme goes to Committee.