News

Ridley’s Wimbledon smash

News

Estates Gazette

15 April 1989

by Denis Hall

Controversy has engulfed Wimbledon’s town hall site once more with Environment Secretary Nicholas Ridley’s support for Merton council’s decision to grant both planning and listed building consent for Speyhawk’s proposed 370,000-sq ft retail centre.

Last year the entire town hall was spot-listed, but the DOE’s decision now means that only the facade of the town hall is listed. This faces the fierce opposition of English Heritage, the Wimbledon Town Centre Co-ordinating Group and rival developers Greycoat, who also want the interior to be protected.

English Heritage is making it clear that listed building consent has been granted because of the DOE’s intervention — not because English Heritage felt it ought to be granted.

“We are unhappy at the proposed alteration,” said a committee member, “but with the current wording of the consent document we are powerless to intervene”.

“This is not the kind of scheme English Heritage should put its stamp of approval on, even if we cannot stop it. Buildings of this quality should not be treated in this way. We can protest that it is a dangerous precedent.”

This latest twist — in what is now a three-year planning saga — follows the DOE’s refusal in March to call in Speyhawk Land & Estates’ proposed retail development — despite Mr Ridley’s declared support last summer for Greycoat’s proposed 140,000-sq ft retail and office scheme for the same site. At the time Speyhawk warned that DOE support for Greycoat might prove to be a hollow victory because they do not have the support of Merton council, which Speyhawk do.

But the Wimbledon Town Centre Co-ordinating Group does not see this as the end of the town hall story. Speyhawk now have to acquire the outstanding interests on the land.

“A compulsory purchase order has been served on Greycoat, who hold a lease on the former William Way builder’s yard at the centre of the site,” points out Shoshana Foster of the WTCCG. “But if, as seems likely, this goes to public inquiry, it could take a further year.”

Joint letting agents for Speyhawk’s scheme are Healey & Baker and Strutt & Parker. Building Design Partnership are architects. Finance has been secured for the project with Standard Life Assurance Co.

by Denis Hall Controversy has engulfed Wimbledon’s town hall site once more with Environment Secretary Nicholas Ridley’s support for Merton council’s decision to grant both planning and listed building consent for Speyhawk’s proposed 370,000-sq ft retail centre. Last year the entire town hall was spot-listed, but the DOE’s decision now means that only the facade of the town hall is listed. This faces the fierce opposition of English Heritage, the Wimbledon Town Centre Co-ordinating Group and rival developers Greycoat, who also want the interior to be protected. English Heritage is making it clear that listed building consent has been granted because of the DOE’s intervention — not because English Heritage felt it ought to be granted. “We are unhappy at the proposed alteration,” said a committee member, “but with the current wording of the consent document we are powerless to intervene”. “This is not the kind of scheme English Heritage should put its stamp of approval on, even if we cannot stop it. Buildings of this quality should not be treated in this way. We can protest that it is a dangerous precedent.” This latest twist — in what is now a three-year planning saga — follows the DOE’s refusal in March to call in Speyhawk Land & Estates’ proposed retail development — despite Mr Ridley’s declared support last summer for Greycoat’s proposed 140,000-sq ft retail and office scheme for the same site. At the time Speyhawk warned that DOE support for Greycoat might prove to be a hollow victory because they do not have the support of Merton council, which Speyhawk do. But the Wimbledon Town Centre Co-ordinating Group does not see this as the end of the town hall story. Speyhawk now have to acquire the outstanding interests on the land. “A compulsory purchase order has been served on Greycoat, who hold a lease on the former William Way builder’s yard at the centre of the site,” points out Shoshana Foster of the WTCCG. “But if, as seems likely, this goes to public inquiry, it could take a further year.” Joint letting agents for Speyhawk’s scheme are Healey & Baker and Strutt & Parker. Building Design Partnership are architects. Finance has been secured for the project with Standard Life Assurance Co.