Approval for Earls Court redevelopment means 7,500 new homes but residents furious

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Development, Local Government

Plans were last night approved for the redevelopment of Earls Court Exhibition Centre, which will entail the creation of 7,500 new homes over the next 20 years.

However, residents of the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates are furious that the development will mean the demolition of their homes.

Jonathan Rosenberg, of the Save Earl's Court group, said: "Last night's decision completes the alignment of residents and businesses who will be damaged by this greedy scheme. The destruction of trade and industry, the loss of thousands of jobs and the demolition of such an iconic part of our heritage in favour of luxury flats is a disgrace. Council tenants, Kensington residents and the exhibitions and events industry are united: we shall stop this scheme!"

Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, which gave the approval, has not yet said what percentage of the new homes will be for social housing, if any.

In September, Labour MP Andy Slaughter, who has been campaigning on behalf of residents, was "forcibly ejected" from a council meeting after he tried to discuss issues surrounding the scheme.

The council's planning committee gave outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the part of the site within Kensington and Chelsea which includes the Earls Court 1 Exhibition Centre.

The project will be carried out by developers Capital & Counties Properties PLC. Chief executive, Ian Hawksworth, said: “We are delighted that the Earls Court Masterplan has now been approved by both RBKC and LHBF. The project has real momentum and we look forward to working with the local authorities to deliver Sir Terry’s vision for a new urban quarter in this exciting part of London.”