Earls Court regeneration relaunched with revamped masterplan

Under the proposals, Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) plans to create a 7.35m sq ft mixed-use scheme, of which around 60% would be residential and 40% commercial, culture, community and retail space.

The proposals include building on 40% of the site and leaving the remainder for the creation of a park and a network of squares and gardens.

A variety of housing will be built under the new plan, including properties for rent and sale, and student and later living accommodation. ECDC has set a target of 35% of the homes being affordable.

Other elements of the proposed scheme include turning a historic train shed on the site into a mix of restaurants, cafes and food markets, and creating large offices spaces and entertainment venues.

The Earls Court redevelopment has encountered a series of setbacks since the exhibition centre was demolished in 2015. An initial masterplan brought forward by developer Capital & Counties Properties included the demolition of two council estates and drew strong criticism from local residents and Hammersmith and Fulham council. The scheme was later abandoned and Capital & Counties sold the site in 2019 to the Earls Court Partnership (ECP), a joint venture between property investor Delancey and Transport for London.

ECDC, which is managing the new masterplan on behalf of ECP, has since handed back the two housing estates to Hammersmith and Fulham council and they will not be redeveloped under the new scheme.

The masterplan will be finalised over the next few months with the aim of submitting a planning application by the end of the year. The first phase of development will comprise 1,300 homes, the new park and east-west connections.

Rob Heasman, chief executive of ECDC, said that the development would comprise buildings up to 38 storeys, with the tallest structures near the centre of the site to minimise intrusion on the surrounding area.

He added that the company had worked closely with the local community to help inform the draft plan. “Access to quality open space has been a key priority in terms of the new masterplan,” said Heasman. He added that the scheme would also respond to the local community’s need for ”access to jobs and opportunities, a variety of housing, and people wanting fun things to do and see.”

Souce: Property Week