Plans for the first phase of an £8Bn redevelopment in Earls Court that include demolishing the Earls Court Exhibition Centre have been approved by the local councils involved.
Developers Capital and Counties say the Earls Court Masterplan, which was drawn up by architect Sir Terry Farrell, will create 12,000 jobs for the construction sector. The project, which already has approval from the Mayor of London, includes offices, a hotel, shops, leisure facilities, a primary school, a health centre, and a library.
Formal outline planning consent was granted by the London Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea following negotiation of a Section 106 agreement that includes £452 million of local community benefits, including transportation improvements, new public open space including a five acre park and employment and skills training for local people.
The Masterplan covers an area of 77 acres and includes over 10 million square feet of new residential led, mixed-use space. The Exhibition centre car park will be transformed into a high quality, mixed tenure residential area. Some 7,500 new homes will be created by the project, including 1,500 affordable and replacement homes.
Transport improvements will include £38.2 million on improving tube stations in the area, £5.5 million on new and improved bus lanes, bus stops and service improvements, and £3.1 million on cycle lanes.
Sir Robert McAlpine and Keltbray have been contracted to develop detailed plans for demolition of the Exhibition Centre, which will take place over a two year period, and first phase construction. As well as the Earls Court 1 and 2 exhibition sites the first phase also includes council housing estates and a London Underground depot.
The developer has also reached a conditional agreement with Hammersmith and Fulham council to buy 22 acres of land that includes two council estates.
Photo: Capital & Counties
