Rectory Farm, the proposed underground warehouse development in Hounslow, has won an Innovation in Planning award in the London Planning Awards 2018.
The new park will sit above underground warehouse space to be created by the discreet extraction of minerals.
The development, approved by the London Borough of Hounslow last summer, won the Mayor’s Award for Innovation in Planning.
Rectory Farm was announced as a winner at a ceremony at Whitehall Palace. Entered for the awards by the London Borough of Hounslow, the project’s team includes developer Formal Investments, planning consultancy DP9, architect Carmody Groarke, engineers Arup, landscape designers Vogt and property and construction consultancy Gleeds.
Formal Investments director Nicholas King said: “The team behind Rectory Farm is incredibly proud of winning this award. It celebrates the partnership approach that enabled our team to work with Hounslow’s planners, councillors and, most importantly, local residents, to secure the support and backing of the council and the community for such a revolutionary concept.”
Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “I’m delighted that Hounslow’s planning team has been recognised for all their hard work on this project and their collaboration with the developers and other partners.
“The scheme itself is hugely innovative and, as a result of working closely together, our residents will benefit from minimised disruption during the building phase, as well as a great new green space to enjoy when it is completed.”
Historically the 110 acres of green belt land was an agricultural site but it has not been farmed since 1996, as a result of years of antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping, trespass, vandalism and concerns over food safety. Currently inaccessible to the public, the site will be transformed into an open and freely accessible park.
The mineral extraction will take place discreetly beneath the park’s surface through an innovative “top-down” construction method, with the process contained below ground.
Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of London First, said: “As London continues to grow, we will need ingenuity and imagination to build the places people want to live and work in – and this year’s awards show the wealth of talent we have working for our city.”
Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “My congratulations to this year’s winners, all of which once again demonstrate the sheer range of talent in the capital. London continues to be an exemplar of good planning and design.”
The London Planning Awards are organised by London First in partnership with the Mayor of London, London councils, the Planning Officers Society London, the Royal Town Planning Institute and headline partner Grosvenor Britain & Ireland.
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