Inquiry launched to decide the fate of over 1,000 London homes
Plans to create 1,075 new properties in South London have been halted following concerns over the low amount of affordable homes on offer.
Developer Reselton Properties originally proposed the scheme for the site of the former Stag Brewery in Mortlake although when the Greater London Authority (GLA) sparked concerns over affordability, the organisation lodged appeals.
Currently, the plans have been approved by Richmond Council but final decisions haven’t been issued as this is the responsibility of the GLA.
Following this, developers lodged an appeal against the council’s non-determination of the applications after the GLA indicated its opposition to the scheme, and a letter sent on Reselton’s behalf claimed the GLA has suggested ‘there would be many months of further delay and the outcome would most likely be [a] direct refusal’.
However, a public inquiry, held by the Planning Inspectorate, will decide the fate of the applications. One of the applications details plans to construct 1,075 homes in buildings up to nine storeys tall and the other is for a 1,200-place secondary school on site.
Out of the homes, 65 have been earmarked to be available for affordable rent. In addition, restaurants, shops, offices, a cinema and a hotel or a pub have also been included in plans alongside the homes.
As for the situation of the new establishments, a spokesperson for Reselton said the scheme would bring a ‘new commercial heart to Mortlake’, replacing a ‘redundant set of brownfield industrial buildings’.
Although, Mortlake Brewery Community Group (MBCG) have objected against the proposals, claiming there aren’t enough affordable homes and the schemes density, height and impact on traffic levels will severely affect surroundings.
Francine Bates, co-chair of MBCG, said: ‘The planning inquiry gives us our last opportunity to reset the clock, reject these plans and sit down with the council and the developers to plan a scheme that will truly benefit the community.’
This isn’t the first time applications for this site have been refused – in 2020 plans were rejected over a lack of affordable housing and in 2021 due to concerns over height and scale, among other issues.
The public inquiry was launched yesterday and is due to end on 14th June 2024.
Image: Mirsadra Molaei
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