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| Proposed 227 Wood Lane |
Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris have designed a new 29-storey tower block to the north of the A40 at 227 Wood Lane (see photo, left hand side).
The proposed tower would replace Browning House, which is a four-storey social housing block owned by Women’s Pioneer Housing (WPH), a housing association providing specialist accommodation.
The Hammersmith Society, guardians of good architecture in our neighbourhood, is against it, but the area has arguably been ruined anyway.
Planning application
The planning application, which you can find at the official LBHF site, is for a 29-storey tower, including an additional 350 flats to be rented out by developer HUB. These provide 1-person studio flats serviced by communal kitchens, living spaces and other facilities (see photo above).
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| Browning House at 227 Wood Lane |
Browning House
The proposed tower would replace the existing Browning House, which is a four-storey social housing block owned by Women’s Pioneer Housing (WPH), a housing association providing specialist accommodation.
Browning House (see right) is not a lovely building.
Wood Lane ziggurat
One justification for the 29-storey tower is the approval granted for the recently completed 34-storey ‘Ziggurat’ tower on the Imperial College White City campus site on the opposite side of Wood Lane. The latter was unpopular locally, but was approved on the basis that it was within the White City Regeneration Area. Tall buildings are only permitted under LBHF Planning Policy and the Mayor’s London Plan if they are considered ‘appropriate’ (whatever that means), and are within one of four development areas identified in the Local Plan. According to the Hammersmith Society, the new tower falls outside of the White City Regeneration Area
Wood Lane ziggurat
One justification for the 29-storey tower is the approval granted for the recently completed 34-storey ‘Ziggurat’ tower on the Imperial College White City campus site on the opposite side of Wood Lane. The latter was unpopular locally, but was approved on the basis that it was within the White City Regeneration Area. Tall buildings are only permitted under LBHF Planning Policy and the Mayor’s London Plan if they are considered ‘appropriate’ (whatever that means), and are within one of four development areas identified in the Local Plan. According to the Hammersmith Society, the new tower falls outside of the White City Regeneration Area
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| Imperial College Ziggurat - and friends |
Does it matter?
Judging by the photo above, the new proposed tower actually looks a lot more attractive than the other buildings in the White City complex.
And there is a significant need for housing throughout London, and new high rise buildings do at least provide people with a place to live.
And there is a significant need for housing throughout London, and new high rise buildings do at least provide people with a place to live.
The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com.
It's not a ziggurat at all lol it's a straight up tower and it's a marked improvement on what's there already.
ReplyDeleteI think I mis-read the photo. It looks like you are right SD. I will amend the blog post.
ReplyDelete