Transport for London and Native Land looking for ways to reduce costs on highly controversial scheme approved at appeal last year
Transport for London and Native Land are looking for ways to 鈥渧alue engineer鈥� the design of RSHP鈥檚 highly controversial redevelopment at South Kensington tube station.
The transport body and the developer are assessing options to reduce construction costs on the mixed-use scheme, which was approved at appeal in December last year two years after being rejected by councillors amid a storm of local opposition.
The plans are currently set to provide 50 new homes, a range of shops and restaurants and a four-storey office block which will require the demolition of the station鈥檚 two-storey 鈥淏ullnose鈥� building.
But TfL鈥檚 property company Places for London said it was now working with Native Land to 鈥渇urther establish costs and viability鈥� on the scheme, adding it was 鈥渞evalidating the project鈥檚 requirements and scope and seeking opportunities to value engineer the design鈥�.
It is understood the outline of the scheme will not change but the pair are considering more cost effective ways to deliver a project which has already faced years of funding and planning delays.
RSHP鈥檚 plans are the sixth separate set of proposals to be worked up for the site since the 1980s, all of which have been hit by strident opposition from heritage campaigners.
Scott, Brownrigg & Turner, Terry Farrell & Partners, Francis Machin, John McAslan & Partners and Buckley Gray Yeoman were responsible for previous schemes.
Campaign group Save Britain鈥檚 Heritage said the latest RSHP-designed vision for the site threatened to overwhelm South Kensington鈥檚 famously airy and low-rise station with 鈥渁nywheresville鈥� office buildings.
鈥淲e have consistently supported the principle of new development but always argued it should reflect the low-scale village character of the conservation area,鈥� the group said in a statement last year.
鈥淭fL鈥檚 2014 development brief set out just such a vision for a conservation-led scheme, backed by the local community. This scheme has achieved the opposite.鈥�
Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, described last year鈥檚 decision by the planning inspector to overturn the council鈥檚 rejection as a 鈥渄isappointing blow鈥� for people who live in the area.
鈥淪outh Kensington is a world class destination. Destinations need transport links and development but not at any cost,鈥� he said. 鈥淐ertainly not at the cost of the area鈥檚 recognisably distinctive and much-loved character.鈥�
Places for London have said the approved plans would enhance the South Kensington Station buildings and the surrounding streets.
Native Land chief executive Alasdiar Nicholls has described the redevelopment as a 鈥渉igh-quality scheme that will protect the heritage of the station while bringing a renewed sense of place to South Kensington鈥�.
TfL has been contacted for comment.
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