Orion "Very Pleased" by Market Plan Approval

And council says market "needs improvement if it is to survive"

The developers who plan to regenerate Shepherd's Bush Market say they are "very pleased" after being granted permission to go ahead by H&F council planners.

Richard Olsen of Orion Shepherd's Bush Ltd- a joint venture between Orion Land and Leisure Ltd and Development Securities - said on Thursday morning:
" We’re very pleased with the outcome; it’s good news for the market and the area.

" The proposals will see the market regenerated and enhanced by introducing much needed investment and positioning it at the heart of a new high-quality mixed-use scheme.

"Our proposals seek to build upon its historic legacy, maintaining the diversity but at the same time implementing essential improvements to ensure the market becomes a destination in its own right."

As expected, outline planning permission for the redevelopment of Shepherd's Bush Market was granted by the planning applications committee on Wednesday, February 8 despite objections from many local traders, shopkeepers and residents.

One member of the group campaigning to save the shops at 30 - 52 Goldhawk Road from demolition who attended last night's Planning Committe meeting said: " As predicted, the lying LBHF have pushed through the outline planning application. It was a complete travesty and the lies are truly breathtaking. "

However, the council is also pleased to see the controversial plans get the go ahead. H&F Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, said: " There is very little doubt that Shepherds Bush Market needs significant improvement if it is to survive.

"People have been telling the council for many years that it needs to be protected and enhanced and these plans will ensure that it will flourish, with more people visiting and market traders enjoying a more secure and prosperous future. We fully recognise the market’s rich heritage and character and this scheme will build upon its diversity to reaffirm the market as one of London’s leading tourist destinations.

" Shepherds Bush really is on the up as a place to live, work and visit. The town was recently named as one of London’s most desirable places to live and that is partly due to the market regeneration and the Shepherds Bush Green revamp that is due to start imminently."

The council says that Orion Shepherd's Bush Ltd, or OSBL, has promised to maintain the independent character of the market by building on the individuality of businesses that have traditionally traded at Shepherds Bush. Their strong, local character is a vital ingredient of the market’s appeal.

The developer believes that the improvement plans will bring about approximately £3.2m a year in increased retail expenditure.

Several market squares will be created and new homes will be built. The Market Square will feature different types of national cuisines. This new square will accommodate pop-up shops and temporary trading space for start up or small businesses. There will also be spaces for open air events, seated areas and toilets.

New shops will be built on the east side of the market for traders whose premises have become dilapidated and crowded.

OSBL is committed to protecting and maintaining market trading during the construction period.

In addition, the entrance to the market from Goldhawk Road will be extended.

All businesses based at 30 to 52 Goldhawk Road have been offered the opportunity to return to the new Goldhawk Road shop units that will be delivered through a phased construction programme. The new shops will be set back from the road to make the market entrance more visible.

OSBL investigated refurbishing the existing Goldhawk Road premises but concluded this would not meet the wider regeneration targets as the properties fall far short of modern standards.

H&F Council says these outline plans will be further developed by OSBL over the coming months, with a more detailed application likely to be submitted later in the year. OSBL will be continuing to meet stall holders, local businesses, residents and visitors in order to inform their proposals.

If the detailed application receives approval, construction work is likely to commence in Summer 2013. There is likely to be some early start on improvement works to the market.

However, this is not the end of the matter. Owners of the shops at 30-52 Goldhawk Road have been granted a Judicial Review of the plans to demolish the premises, which date back to the mid-19th century, on the grounds that the the council did not follow proper planning procedure. This will go to to the High Court on May 15 and 16.

February 9, 2012