PROTESTERS against the town hall redevelopment have delivered an impassioned plea for the community to show its 'strength of feeling' at next week's crucial planning committee.
On Wednesday evening, councillors are set to rubber stamp the controversial scheme, which could transforrm the western part of Hammersmith.
King Street Developments wants to build 290 flats in two tower blocks - 10 and 15 storeys high - a seven storey office block, a supermarket and a footbridge across to Furnivall Gardens.
The scheme has met widespread opposition from both local and national groups who feel that the development is dense, tall and unnecessary. Save Our Skyline (SOS), the protest group leading the campaign, is urging residents to attend the meeting in droves to ensure that councillors know they are opposed to it.
Nick Bastin, of SOS, said: "We encourage the community to show up to the meeting to make sure their voice is heard and we're represented. The actions of the council are representative of the people, and there is a lot of strength of feeling about this. Although we cannot speak at the meeting we can express our views by turning up. SOS is made up of around 30 clubs, groups and associations all in opposition to this development. There's not one local community group in favour of this scheme. It would show the arrogance of the council to push ahead."
Residents are also up in arms over plans to force blind and other vulnerable tenants out of their Thomas Pocklington trust homes in Cromwell Avenue.
However this week King Street Developments revealed it has signed an agreement with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to rehouse tenants within three kilometres of their homes, and that no building will be demolished in Cromwell Road until this has happened.
Despite being faced with opposition, the developers insist that the scheme will boost the local economy, provide jobs and create homes.
They also believe that footfall in the area will increase with the introduction of a large supermarket and the creation of a new public square, which they hope will host a number of public and community events, including an outdoor cinema.
Matthew Bonning-Snook, of King Street Developments, said: “Our proposals are a unique opportunity to secure much needed investment in the western end of King Street. We have developed a scheme that not only saves the taxpayers of Hammersmith & Fulham the £18 million it would cost to refurbish the town hall, but also provides the community with a fantastic new public square that can also be used for events such as outdoor film screenings.
"The new homes will add to the quality of the housing stock in the area and the supermarket, cafes and restaurants will all add to the vitality and economic health of businesses on King Street. In addition, all of this part of Hammersmith will be reconnected to the river via the new pedestrian footbridge over the Great West Road.
"We have had strong support throughout the four years we have been working on the proposals and very much hope the committee will approve the application.”
The meeting is being held at Latymer Upper School, in King Street, from 7pm.
