THE regeneration of Earls Court came a crucial step closer today after 14 years of uncertainty when developers submitted their planning application for a £10 billion green new town.Planners at Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham will now consider the proposals, which include two new towers, for the biggest cleared development site in central London.
A decision is expected from both boroughs next year, with work starting in 2026.If the proposals are approved in 2025 it will be a decade and a half since the original scheme for Earls Court, including the demolition of the famous exhibition centres, was drawn up.The 1937 Art Deco venue was knocked down by then developers Capco but its plans for 8000 new homes ran into fierce opposition from residents on two estates, and Labour-run Hammersmith and Fulham council, as well as a less favourable outlook for the luxury property market, and was abandoned in 2019.Since then new plans for a 7.5 million sq ft development have been workedup by the current owners, the Delancey backed Earls Court Development Company, to bring back life to the 40 acresite, of which about half will be new public open and green space.In total there will be 4000 new homes — about 35% designated affordable - 2.5million sq ft of work space focused on clean and climate tech, and three new cultural venues, the first opening by 2030.
The development will create 12,000 jobs, according to the proposals.Detailed plans have also been submitted for buildings in phase one of the development, including the first commercial spaces, about 1,500 homes, for rent and for sale, and specialist housing for students and later living, as well as shops, bars and restaurants.Th e £ 1 . 5 b i l l i o n f i rs t p h a s e i s expected to take between five and 10 years to complete and will comprise three plots in Hammersmith & Fulham including a 42-storey tower, one of the tallest in London west of the City, 462 homes and 696 student rooms and two plots in Kensington & Chelsea delivering 310 homes, a 26-storey tower and a 4.5 acre “table park”.
Rob Heasman, chief executive of ECDC, said: “We have listened to the wealth of stories and taken huge inspiration from EarlsCourt’s heritage as a place that dared — to showcase, to entertain and celebrate the spectacular.“A place that was so clearly cherished for being bold and brave, welcoming people from across the globe.”Jamie Ritblat, founder and chairman of Delancey, said: “Though we can’t predict the 22nd century, we have aimed to build with longevity, crafting streets and places that will become part of London’s fabric.
“It is unique for a development of this scale and importance to put spaces first, and buildings second.”
