by Duncan Lamb
Last week’s decision to refer the planning applications of the Spitalfields Development Group and Rosehaugh Stanhope for further consultation seemed to call a temporary halt to the contest to redevelop the fruit and vegetable market site. However, at least one of the competitors was active again last week.
Early rumours in the week that the SDG were “ready to pull out of the race” seemed to be further compounded by the lodging of a planning application with Waltham Forest for an alternative use of the Temple Mills site on which the SDG planned to relocate the Spitalfields Market.
However, while some observers thought the move was brinksmanship to force Tower Hamlets’ hand, SDG chairman Peter Beckwith said the planning application was only “a prudent, protective measure”. A spokesman added that, following assurances from the City that Tower Hamlets’ stance could — for the purposes of the site tender — be taken as conditional planning permission, the SDG would be going ahead with their bid.
The Temple Mills site application is for 250,000 sq ft of non-food retail with 50,000 sq ft of leisure.
Meanwhile, the Royal Fine Art Commission was commending the proposals of the Spitalfields Regeneration Project, whose scheme was not before the planners last week.
Chairman Norman St John Stevas said: “The commission welcomes this scheme which rehouses Spitalfields Market on the site, believing that the exodus of such activities to the suburbs contributes to the decline of City life.”
