Two Prominent Central Fulham Sites to Be Revived
Go ahead for redevelopment of former homes of Boots and Elk Bar
Boots site has been vacant for over two years
Plans to bring two prominent sites in the centre of Fulham back to life have been given the green light by H&F Council’s planning department.
The former homes of the Elk Bar on Fulham Broadway and Boots on North End Road have become increasingly dilapidated after standing empty for years. Boots left the premises over two years ago while the Elk Bar closed its doors “after 15 amazing years” back in July 2018.
Both sites will now be redeveloped to produce flats, a new store and possibly a new bar or restaurant.
At 587- 591 Fulham Road, an application, Ref. No: 2022/00821/FUL, has been approved for:
Extensions and alterations to provide flexible (Class E) commercial, business and service use and/or (sui generis) drinking establishment use at lower ground and ground floor; 9no. new (Class C3) residential flats at first, second, third and fourth floor; improvements to the existing front elevation (including enhancement of the building entrances); installation of new lift and new plant; and associated works.
In the documents supporting the application, Nick Baker Architects say this scheme is an alternative to previous applications, which proposed a mix of offices and flats on the upper floors. The change to fully residential, creating nine new homes, is due to a lack of interest from commercial tenants.
The plans also mean the ground floor and basement could become either offices or a new bar or restaurant.
The Elk closed in July 2018
Improvements to the exterior of the Art Deco building include the restoration and cleaning of existing stone, new doors and windows, removal of lighting, cables and wires and suitable planting behind the existing parapet.
Granting planning permission, council planners agreed the development would contribute to increasing the number of residential units in the borough and would make a positive contribution to the urban environment.
Designs submitted with the planning application
At 322 - 324 North End Road, at its junction with Tournay Road, the council has also given the green light to plans to create seven flats, an HMO (house of multiple occupation) with accommodation for up to ten people and a new smaller store which would retain the shopfront formerly used by Boots.
The application, ref 2021/01060/FUL, is as follows:
Change of use of part of the ground floor from retail shop (Class E) into an HMO (Sui Generis) to accommodate up to 10 residents along with associated excavation of a new basement including the formation of a new lightwell; change of use of the first and second floor level from dental surgery (Class E) into residential (Class C3), partial demolition of the existing building and erection of rear extensions at ground, first and second floor level in connection with the creation of 3 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 1 bedroom self-contained flats over first and second floor level; alterations to external facades to include the installation of new windows and door openings; replacement of all existing timber windows at first and second floor levels with timber sliding sash windows; alterations to the shopfront; erection of new boundary walls; formation of roof terrace at second floor level; provision of new cycle and bin stores.
A statement accompanying the applications said that the proposal would result in a boost to the local economy, make a modest contribution to alleviating housing needs in the borough and provide an opportunity to renovate the property which is falling into disrepair.
Council planners agreed. Granting planning permission, they said, “ The proposed development would create a suitably designed scheme which would not adversely impact upon the street scene, the character of the area or the adjacent conservation area. The proposal would improve the existing site and the surrounding area and would result in an acceptable impact on the living conditions of neighbouring residential properties.”
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September 16, 2022