Long-suffering traders have won their latest round in the development battle of Shepherd’s Bush Market.

Plans to temporarily use shipping containers to house cafes, restaurants and artists’ studios were rejected by Hammersmith and Fulham planners , following objections from the Shepherd’s Bush Market Traders’ Association (SBMTA).

The plans were submitted by U+I Group, after previous applicants Orion had also lost its application for the contentious redevelopment of the area.

Planning officers had recommended the application at the Old Laundry Site (OLS) in Pennard Road on a temporary two year basis.

The committee decided against granting permission at its meeting on September 5.

Among the reasons given were the detrimental impact on the character and shopping function of Shepherd’s Bush Market, as well as people living close by.

Fears of its impact on Shepherd’s Bush Conservation area, increased traffic and parking pressures and an unacceptable number of cycling spaces were also highlighted.

The proposal would have seen 45 cargo containers.

'Fundamentally, they're not interested in Shepherd's bush Market'

James Horada believes the application was a bid to get residential properties built on the site.

The SBMTA chairman said: “Fundamentally, they’re not interested in Shepherd’s Bush Market, they’re interested in the land prospect.”

It was one of several reasons traders opposed the plan.

Part of the planning application put forward by developers U+I Group

“The developers wanted to use Shepherd’s Bush Market as an access route to feed this laundry site area,” he said, while also raising concerns the new market would draw customers away.

“The fact of the matter is they were not supporting Shepherd’s Bush Market,” he said.

He praised the planning committee for overruling the recommendation made by its officers.

James Horada
SBMTA chairman James Horada

“There’s a definite sense of relief," he said.

“We’re very pleased that the councillor looked at the application in detail because initially it sounds very interesting.

“It sounds great but when you look at the detail you start to see all the cracks.

"I’m pleased they looked at it and saw it didn’t make sense.

“They understood there was a fault in this application."

'Committed to working with traders and the council'

A spokesperson for U+I said: “We were disappointed with the Planning Committee’s decision to refuse the application for the temporary use of the OLS at Shepherd’s Bush Market.

“Following the decision, we are considering our options for the future use of the OLS, while continuing to make improvements to the existing Market.

“U+I remain fully committed to working with traders and the council to ensure the long-term, successful future of Shepherd’s Bush Market.”

Orien had hoped to build luxury homes as part of its plans to redevelop the site, but this was scuppered when it failed in its bid to obtain a compulsory purchase order (CPO) .

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