Tube station makeover plan ‘like putting lipstick on a pig’
APPLAUSE FROM OBJECTORS AFTER DEVELOPERS’ VISION TO TRANSFORM SOUTH KENSINGTON IS REJECTED
SOUTH Kensington Tube station will not get a massive makeover after ‘superficial’ nods to conservation were compared to putting ‘lipstick on a pig.’
There were 2,197 residents, 20 resident’s associations and politicians on all levels who objected to plans to build a huge arcade, 50 new homes and a shopping centre above the much-loved station.
A hotly-anticipated planning meeting heard roars of applause as councillors, Transport for London (TfL staff) and a Paralympian legend debated whether the buildings work around the station should go ahead on November 18.
A battle broke out between developers and residents over the need for step-free access versus new buildings ruining the Victorian feel of the area and views of the Natural History Museum.
Kensington and Chelsea planning bosses voted five to nil against the plans, saying sections of the development were too tall and would hurt the character of the area.
Critics brought forward a range of objections to the committee and came up with some imaginative ways of describing the building plans.
Speaking on behalf of the six local ward councillors, Sof McVeigh said: “It would be a desecration of one of the borough’s finest conversation areas and a few superficial conservation details tacked on, like putting lipstick on a pig.”
Council officers had previously recommended adding step-free access to the station along with the rest of the plans on November 12.
Developer Native Land, TfL officers and Paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson argued the only way for the station to have step-free access would be to approve the plans.
A statement read out on Dame Grey-Thompson’s behalf said: “I would love to take my own family to this corner of London for a day out – which I would do if not for an inaccessible station.
“The fact that one of London’s most prominent locations is inaccessible is quite simply not good enough.”
Plans to do up the South Kensington Station itself have already been approved but were put on pause in 2020 as TfL’s funding was hit hard by the pandemic.
Giving her thoughts towards the end of the four-hour meeting, council planning chief Emma Dent Coad said she was disappointed with the developer’s unimaginative designs.
She said: “It’s a huge shame and a lost opportunity. I’m a big fan of modern architecture. It doesn’t feel right.
“Ripping the guts out of precious Victorian buildings doesn’t always work so I have a lot of huge concerns about this.”
Others complained about the potential damage the development would have on the Grade-II listed station and neighbouring Bull Nose building – as well as how residents would have to put up with months of building works.
Plans had previously been submitted in June to redevelop the area but these were also rejected.
TfL say the station has 34 million people pass through it each year with many visiting the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum.
Concerns will remain on how to make the world-famous attractions more accessible.
A spokesperson for the Native Land and TfL joint venture said: “We are disappointed that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s (RBKC) planning committee has resolved to refuse to grant permission for our plans to restore and enhance the South Kensington Tube station buildings and the surrounding streets.
“Our plans would generate numerous and significant public benefits, including step-free access to the District & Circle Lines, to be delivered in the first phase of the scheme, on-site affordable housing, and the restoration of the much-loved historic arcade.
“The proposed buildings have all been carefully considered to ensure that the design, scale and massing is sympathetic to the surrounding townscape and respects what is a hugely important heritage location.
“We believe our plans, which are policy compliant and were recommended for approval by RBKC’s planning officer, who cited architecture of the highest quality, provide for a considered scheme that would help bring a renewed sense of place to South Kensington. We will now review our options.”