More than 30 unused arches in White City will be opened up for commercial, leisure and retail use after planning permission was granted.

The Transport for London (TfL) plan to transform 31 arches near Wood Lane Tube station was given the green light by Hammersmith and Fulham planners on Tuesday (March 14).

The proposal will see new cycle parking and pedestrian passageways introduced in an attempt to improve connectivity in the neighbourhood.

The arches as they are now

The 31 arches are located along the Hammersmith and City viaduct between the Tube station and the A3320 West Cross Route, and next to major developments including the Westfield London shopping centre extension and the construction of nearly 2,500 new homes, office spaces, restaurants, shops and leisure spaces.

TfL plans to complete the project in two phases, coordinating with the construction timetables of the neighbouring developments.

The first phase would see TfL open the 19 arches closest to Wood Lane Tube station in early 2018, when the new John Lewis store at Westfield is set to open.

TfL has been working with Fletcher Priest Architects on the concept designs

These will include 13 for retail and commercial uses, three as new pedestrian access routes and three for storage and cycle parking.

Phase two will see development of the 12 arches closest to the A3320 West Cross Route, in line with when the adjacent residential project are completed in the early 2020s.

These arches will include seven for shopping and workspace uses, four new pedestrian access routes and one for storage and cycle parking.

Speaking when plans were announced in December, TfL commercial development director Graeme Craig said: “Opening the arches at Wood Lane will truly transform the area - supporting ongoing regeneration with new locations for small and independent businesses and improving pedestrian connectivity."

A map showing where the arches are

“These are the first of a number of arches that we are looking to develop to help us raise vital revenue to reinvest in the transport network," said Mr Craig.

Railway arches are typically from 500 sq ft in size and can be rented for short-term periods or three-year lets.

A six-year term will also be considered for office premises.

A total of 90% of TfL commercial arches are currently occupied, mostly for light industrial and storage uses.

TfL has been working with Fletcher Priest Architects on the concept designs which was included in the planning application.

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