How is London landcsape set to change in the next decade?
THE news agenda in 2019 was the most fast-moving and unpredictable in years.
What with Brexit and the general election, the future of many things planned for the capital seemed to hang in the balance.
With so many major developments being planned, stalled and dropped across London, we wouldn’t blame your losing track of what’s happening.
But despite the ups and downs the coming decade will see some massive changes with building projects that will transform the face of the capital.
Across central and West London, here is a full list of the major developments, from stadiums to skyscrapers and shopping centres, that you can expect to appear over the first few years of the 2020s.
All change on Oxford Street
Westminster Council is devising a £235 million plan to revamp Oxford Street and make the worldrenowned shopping district more pedestrian-friendly.
Two companies have been hired to draw up detailed blueprints and deliver the scheme, which the council says could include two huge piazzas beside Oxford Circus station, and up to 100 distinct smaller projects.
Work is due to begin this spring and could take a number of years to complete.
At the western side of Oxford Street, the iconic House of Fraser department store is due to be part-converted to include offices and a gym, with a restaurant on its seventh floor.
New shop fronts and offices are also set to be built along the east end of Oxford Street, behind shop fronts: 35, 41 and 43.
West London’s biggest skyscraper coming to Paddington
The tallest skyscraper in West London is set to be built in Paddington’s Merchant Square estate, with a cylindrical shape that may remind you of the Gherkin.
European Land won planning permission in April 2019 for the 42-storey tower with 271 flats, despite councillors’ complaints about a lack of affordable housing.
A basement cinema and sky garden will also be included. And another 21-storey tower will be built next door, containing 155 flats.
Blueprints show the 490 ft-tall tower will be covered in “dark blue glazed terracotta cladding”, with a crown of tusks on its roof.
Linford Christie Stadium, Wormwood Scrubs
The underused Linford Christie athletics centre in Wormwood Scrubs park could become a 45,000seat arena.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council held a public consultation over the summer, which saw a huge majority of nearly 9,000 respondents say the Linford Christie should undergo “major development”.
The council floated a variety of options, and suggested the new venue could be used for concerts, exhibitions and professional sports.
Just down the road, Queens Park Rangers FC’s management are hoping the Linford Christie site could yield a new home to replace their ageing Loftus Road ground.
The council has so far said QPR could have the option of leasing any new stadium. The proposals are still at the earliest stage, with a planning application still a long way off.
Hammersmith Town Hall, new shops and cinema
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is progressing with its landmark scheme to redevelop its Town Hall and offices in King Street.
The council approved an £89 million budget in December for the plans, which will include a new cinema, offices, restaurants and shops.
To deliver the cinema and commercial parts of the scheme, the council has entered into a 50/50 joint venture with housing association A2Dominion.
White City
Numerous developments are planned or underway along Wood Lane and surrounding White City station.
More than 330 homes could be built by the council on land around the White City estate, as well as a new £64.8 million education centre in Australia Road.
Plans for an 11-storey block of 527 flats in the shape of a “sweeping crescent”, flanked with two skyscrapers of 22 and 32 storeys in height, were given planning permission by Hammersmith and Fulham Council in April 2019.
The site will be built on the 1920s Centre House office building in Wood Lane, and is next to a former Marks and Spencer warehouse.