Earl’s Court has been one of the longest running redevelopment projects in London. There have been various plans and twists in the tale in the last decade. The latest plans are currently with planners from two borough councils. So, we could see a decision next year. However, some stakeholders have concerns with them. It’s worth a look because it will be one of the biggest examples of property investment in Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea.
Proposals
The plan has always been to redevelop the Brownfield site to create new housing. It is a massive 40 acres, including the site of the former Earls Court Exhibition Centre. Original owners CAPCO had plans to build 8,000 flats and new retail space, as well as exploring the possibility of a new centre for conventions. They got planning permission, but financial issues ultimately made CAPCO sell the land.
The latest plans for the site are by the Earls Court Development Company (ECDC). This is a joint venture between Delancey, APG, TfL, and Places for London. Their plan is to build 4,000 homes, new cultural venues, and new workspace. The bold prediction is it will lead to 12,000 jobs.
Concerns
It seems there have been concerns about the plans for Earls Court since the very beginning. In fact, there were protests and campaigns to save the Exhibition Centre before it was even demolished. The various plans for the site have also had to face backlash from various critics.
There are still concerns with these latest proposals. Trying to satisfy all the various different stakeholders is one of the reasons this project is proving to be a difficult piece of property investment in Hammersmith and Fulham.
A group of stakeholders recently did a full review of the massive plans. This includes The Hammersmith Society, The London Forum, and societies from Fulham, Kensington, and Earls Court. They said they support the redevelopment, but aren’t convinced they are better than CAPCO’s originals.
A major concern is the height of some of the new buildings and the density. The fear is it puts too much pressure on open spaces and will have a much greater impact on neighbouring areas. Notably, they worry there will be a loss of daylight on nearby estates.
Another concern is the type of housing in the plans; this is a massive issue with property investment in Hammersmith and Fulham and other central areas. Everyone knows that London is in the midst of a crisis and increasing the supply of new homes is important. However, it needs to be the right type of properties. The fear here is the units will have high price tags and big services charges. This will harm the accessibility.
Finally, there is the question of where the ‘wonder’ is with these proposals. The group said they don’t think the plan will be able to attract an ‘anchor cultural institution’ such as a museum or theatre. They were critical of the size of the cultural spaces and their division.
ECDC’s commitment
The developer said they have always been committed to engagement on the future of the site. They’ve had numerous workshops, exhibitions meetings, and consultations. It has given people the chance to provide their views and ideas for the site. Ultimately, they think their plans achieve the right balance to serve the current and future needs of the site.
So, it will be interesting to see how they respond to the latest criticisms and calls to reconsider the scheme. There may be more changes to come. However, the plans as they are could also get planning permission. If that happens, work could begin in 2026 with a goal to finish by 2041.
Need help with property investment in Hammersmith and Fulham?
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