The redevelopment of the last remaining timber yard in central London is to be challenged in the courts.
The site, at the Travis Perkins builders merchants’ Pimlico Road branch, SW1, which has been outlined for redevelopment by Grosvenor Estate.
Permission has been granted for a judicial review of the plans that were approved.
In October 2016, Westminster City Council granted planning permission to redevelop the yard into 10,000 sq ft of shops and flats.
More than 2,000 residents have signed petitions urging the Grosvenor Estate to withdraw its planning application and to keep the timber yard. The signatories cited the economic value that the yard brings in terms of jobs and the supply of essential materials as well as its cultural heritage.
Mark Field, MP for cities of London and Westminster who visited the yard, said: “. It was great to hear more about how the branch supplies many prominent local building projects and the globally known Chelsea Flower Show. It is important that businesses providing essential services like the timber yard are protected.”
Travis Perkins’ group property director, Martin Meech, said: “Many of our colleagues at Pimlico Road have worked at the yard for more than 20 years and are a binding part of the community. We are doing and will do everything we can to keep the timber yard, to protect both the jobs it provides, and the tradespeople, businesses and customers to whom it offers such a vital service.”
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