Hammersmith Palais appeal begins

Tuesday June 15, 2010

A developer refused planning permission to turn Hammersmith Palais into student accommodation is appealing the decision.

The appeal by London & Regional (Hammersmith) began this morning (Tuesday 15) in the Council Chamber at Hammersmith Town Hall. The appeal will last for seven days from June 15-18, June 22, and June 24-25. A decision is not expected until the end of the summer.

On October 27 last year, Hammersmith & Fulham Council turned down an application to demolish the once famous music venue and build 429 flats, and shops and leisure units in its place.

But the council’s planning applications committee voted unanimously against the 18,000 sq m scheme. The Hammersmith Society, Hammersmith & Fulham Historic Buildings Group and the Greater London Authority also objected to the scheme, along with 20 residents.

In 2002, planning permission was granted to demolish the Palais and redevelop the site into a six-storey scheme, incorporating offices, a restaurant, and leisure space. However, the time limit on when building had to begin was extended until November 7 last year, and this latest application was for a bigger scheme.

The Palais de Danse, as it was originally called, opened in 1919 to host ballroom dancing and dance bands and remained a music and dancing venue until its closure in April 2007. In the 1930s there was an ice rink in the Palais, which was home to the original London Lions ice hockey team.