Fury over plan 'to demolish' 1980s M&S store on Chelsea's Kings Road

Fury as developer plans to demolish iconic M&S store on Chelsea’s Kings Road and replace it with ‘behemoth’ six-storey office block – as residents demand officials reject proposal at meeting tomorrow

  • Thousands of locals have voice opposition to the plans at 81-103 King’s Road
  • They would involve knocking down the existing four-storey 1980s building 

Residents opposing a development that would see the demolition of a Marks and Spencer outlet in Chelsea have called on officials to reject the proposals ahead of a meeting tomorrow.

Thousands of locals have voice their opposition to the plans at 81-103 King’s Road, in West London.

They would involve knocking down the existing four-storey 1980s building that houses outlets including the M&S store and replacing it with a ‘behemoth’ five-floor office block, complete with roof terrace and courtyard.

In a report compiled late last month, planning officers for Conservative-run Kensington and Chelsea Council recommended the proposals be approved.

But, ahead of the final decision that will be made in the council’s planning committee tomorrow evening, the secretary of a residents’ group opposing the plans called them ‘wholly inappropriate’ and urged officials to reject them. 

Christine Morrissey said ‘new, substantial and material’ information about the harms of the project has come to light which undermines the key assertions made by Pilbrow Partners, the architects behind the proposals.

The building is owned by British Virgin Islands-based firm King’s Road Property.

Tory Party Chairman Greg Hands, who is also the local MP, has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the proposals.

An M&S spokesman told MailOnline that after ‘tough and drawn out’ negotiations, they have agreed with the landlord of the King’s Road site that an outlet will remain even if the development does go ahead.  

Residents opposing a development that would see the demolition of a Marks and Spencer outlet in Chelsea have called on officials to reject the proposals ahead of a meeting tomorrow. Thousands of locals have voice their opposition to the plans on King’s Road in West London

The plans would involve knocking down the existing four-storey 1980s building that houses outlets including the M&S store and replacing it with a ‘behemoth’ five-floor office block, complete with roof terrace and courtyard

The planning officers’ approval recommendation came two years after rival plans for the same site – this time to build a six-storey building – were rejected by the council. 

Ms Morrissey, secretary of Smith Street Residents’ Association, said: ‘The collective Resident Associations have provided new, substantial, and material information not previously available to the planning department or committee. 

‘The combined weight of this information undermines many of the applicant’s key assertions.

‘It gives the opportunity for the committee to come to a decision that more accurately reflects both established and emerging planning policy, and to refuse permission for a wholly inappropriate development for this site.’ 

Heritage expert, Paul Velluet, who studied the plans put together by architects Pilbrow and Partners, stated in a recent report: ‘The proposed development, by virtue of its height, bulk and external design will have seriously harmful impacts on the settings and significance of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Conservation areas.’ 

Local group The Chelsea Society has also rejected the plans on the basis that bulldozing the existing building would go against local planning policy recommending retention and refurbishment over demolition.

They also say that the size of the new building would clash with the largely low-rise buildings on King’s Road and its ‘combination of narrowness and airiness.’  

In a report compiled late last month, planning officers for Conservative-run Kensington and Chelsea Council recommended the proposals be approved

Pilbrow and Partners has claimed that its design ‘draws inspiration from the traditional qualities of architecture in Chelsea’ and said the new office space would be to the ‘highest standards of sustainability and wellbeing’

An artist’s rendering of how the interior of the new building could look

In a statement released after the plans were revised in June, they said: ‘The Chelsea Society continues to object to this application. 

‘The revised version is not significantly different to its predecessor and does not adequately address the concerns which we expressed in our objection of 17 April. 

‘It is incompatible with a number of Council policies; would be damaging to the character of the King’s Road and the conservation area opposite to which it is situated; and would, even in its revised form, be disruptive to the privacy of neighbouring residents.’ 

Pilbrow and Partners has claimed that its design ‘draws inspiration from the traditional qualities of architecture in Chelsea’ and said the new office space would be to the ‘highest standards of sustainability and wellbeing’. 

Kensington and Chelsea Council is set to give a decision on the proposals on Thursday

But sustainability experts at QuinnRoss Consultants examined the proposal and questioned the case for demolition over retrofit. 

Opposing the plans, resident Graham Love said: ‘Our concerns about this proposal are amplified by an unconvincing carbon case for demolition here, coupled with the fact that the site is largely earmarked as an office block and we have seen no evidence to prove there is demand for additional office space in the area. 

‘Chelsea does not need irreparable damage to its character for the sake of another empty block of prime office space that risks becoming a white elephant.’ 

An M&S spokesman told MailOnline: ‘After some tough and drawn-out negotiations, we are delighted to have reached an agreement in principle with the landlord of our King’s Road store. 

‘This means that M&S will remain on the site if their proposed redevelopment gets the go-ahead at Thursday’s planning committee meeting. 

‘The developer’s plans include an exciting, fresh new-look M&S King’s Road store which we hope can serve our loyal local customers, and protect the jobs of our hardworking colleagues, in years to come.’ 

Thousands of residents have rejected the plans to replace the building with a ‘behemoth’

Pilbrow was also behind plans to demolish the building housing M&S’s store on Oxford Street. 

Communities Secretary Michael Gove rejected the proposals in July after launching an inquiry. 

A spokesman for Pilbrow and Partners said: ‘The proposed building replaces a poor-quality 1980s structure which, significantly, is excluded from the conservation areas that surround the site. 

‘The new building will be of higher quality and offer greater energy efficiency. 

‘Drawing the building back from the existing building line on King’s Road allows a more generous pavement and the introduction of street trees. 

‘Landscape terraces to the rear extend this urban greening across the site.’ 

King’s Road Property have been approached for comment.  

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