Have your say on market plans

Tuesday September 7, 2010

Residents are being consulted on a new vision for a revitalised Shepherds Bush Market after the council laid out its stall for the second time this year.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council wants Shepherds Bush to evolve into an exciting and vibrant market in line with more successful London markets and is now asking for views on its updated draft ‘planning and regeneration brief’.

The revised planning framework proposes new public spaces, new homes and a move for the much-loved Bush Theatre into the old Shepherds Bush Library where it would form the centrepiece of a new cultural quarter.

A new public piazza, cafes, shops and restaurants, could generate hundreds of new jobs and safeguarding existing market jobs, according to the council.

Local residents and traders were originally consulted on the proposals nine months ago and their feedback has now been incorporated into the current draft which is being consulted on again.

The council would also like to see new affordable homes and cash for other community benefits to be generated as well as a safer market that evolves in a way that is sympathetic to the existing neighbourhood.

Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F Council Leader, says: “There has been a market in this town centre for nearly a century, but most customers, residents and traders agree that it is now looking pretty tired. To help turn this situation around we have been working very closely with traders and local residents to work up a planning framework that gives any potential developer of the site an idea of how local people would like to see the area improved.”

75 per cent of respondents to the initial consultation said the framework represents a positive step for the market. Over recent years, traders and customers have been complaining that the market has been allowed to decline because of a lack of investment.

The draft planning brief proposes that the Transport for London-owned market area would be enlarged to take in a former laundry site in Pennard Road, along with rough-sleepers hostel and day centre which is currently owned by the Broadway Centre and Peabody Trust. A new entrance to the market could also be created in Goldhawk Road.

Regenerating Shepherds Bush Market along the lines in the draft document would encourage a more diverse and vibrant market for stallholders that attracts more customers and secures the market’s long-term future, according to the council.

Cllr Greenhalgh continues: “For the second time this year we are consulting on how we can improve this once great icon in a way that benefits customers, traders and the wider Shepherds Bush community.”

The council consulted with traders, residents and shoppers over six weeks from December 2009 and the vast majority agreed with the council that any redevelopment must complement local architecture. There was also a very favourable response regarding the mix of shops proposed, new leisure and public arts facilities and embracing the former Shepherds Bush Library as a cultural facility.

However, while 75 per cent of traders who responded were in favour of the council’s proposals, they were concerned that any redevelopment is phased to ensure that the market can continue to operate during construction and that vehicle access and parking is improved.

Traders also wanted more public toilets, improved security, cash machines and a roof over all or part of the market and rent levels that do not spiral through the roof.

69 per cent of residents who responded were in favour of renovating the market. Lime Grove residents have voiced concerns about proposals to move some services from the Broadway Centre to the nearby Lime Grove hostel. However the council intends to work with them to find a suitable solution when regeneration plans do come forward in the future.

Council chiefs will decide whether to adopt the updated planning brief, following the latest public consultation, at a cabinet meeting on October 14.

A full copy of the draft planning and regeneration brief can be viewed on the Local Plan pages of the council’s website. Alternatively, email SBMarket@lbhf.gov.uk or call Jackie Simkins in the council’s planning department, on 020 8753 3460, if you would like to be sent a hard copy.

The deadline for the council to receive responses is 5pm on Monday, October 11.