Stars Offer Support for Redevelopment of Riverside Studios
One of two major schemes set to change the face of Hammersmith
Stars of British theatre and television have given their support to the redevelopment of Hammersmith's famous Riverside Studios following the submission of a planning application to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
In September, London Developer Mount Anvil, working in conjunction with A2 Dominion, submitted the application to comprehensively redevelop Riverside Studios and the adjacent Queen’s Wharf building as part of a combined mixed-use development.
The application was for:
Demolition of the existing buildings and the redevelopment of the site to create a six to eight storey building with balconies and roof terraces and the provision of 165 residential units (Class C3) and 8,633 sq.m of commercial floor space for television and film recording studios, storage, dressing rooms, offices, theatre, cinema and other facilities ancillary to those uses including cafe, restaurant, bar and other uses for the sale of food and drink, together with car and cycle parking, storage and plant space and the creation of a riverside walk along the frontage of the site facing the River Thames.
You can read full details of the application here.
Among the celebrities supporting Riverside Studios are comedian Jo Brand, who says: " Like me, it is looking slightly frayed around the edges and become a bit decrepit. This is why I was so pleased to hear about, and see the plans for redevelopment."
Actor Simon Callow also offers his support, saying: " Riverside has been a powerhouse of theatrical energy, generating an astonishing range of new work, revitalising classics, and acting as host to some of the greatest performers in the world. Its location is superb.
" There's nothing like it in London, nor anywhere else that I know of. I look forward to a wonderful future for it."
William Burdett-Coutts, Artistic Director of Riverside Studios says: " Riverside Studios has had an incredible history from water pump factory, to film studios, to being one of the original BBC TV Studios, to Arts Centre and Television Facility.
" Over its time its seen Daleks and Dr Who, Dixon of Dock Green, Terry & June, Hancock’s Half Hour, Sean Connery playing Checkhov, Helen Mirren, Beckett, Dario Fo, TFI Friday, Top of the Pops, countless world films and an incredible array of international theatre and dance like the recent incredible hit Mies Julie from South Africa. It’s always been at the centre of innovation where the first test transmissions for colour television were unveiled by the Queen Mother and latterly the trials for 3D television.
" But the building is old and badly needs redevelopment. The opportunity provided by Mount Anvil and A2 Dominion will see a new building which will allow the Riverside Trust an exciting future.
" This will embrace new facilities and ways of taking arts and entertainment to the public, whilst providing a wonderful asset to the people of Hammersmith. We aim to make this London’s Digital Media & Arts Centre of the future."
Further details are contained in a Riverside Studios Newsletter and local residents are being invited to give their feedback on the scheme either by calling a freephone number 0800 298 7040 or emailing feedback@consultation-online.co.uk
This is the second planning application this autumn for major developments which could change the face of Hammersmith. H & F Council has also received a full application for the partial demolition of the Town Hall Extension and the demolition of the cinema on King Street and the Registry Office and Friends Meeting House car park on Nigel Playfair Avenue, and the refurbishment of the Town Hall Extension and redevelopment of the remainder of the site to deliver new civic offices, 196 residential dwellings, a new three screen cinema, shops, restaurants and bars, together with a new public square.
The proposal site is 1.44ha in size and comprises the Town Hall Extension and the land between the Town Hall Extension and the Town Hall, the cinema on King Street and the car park, Registry Office and Friends Meeting House situated on Nigel Playfair Avenue (west) and Hampshire Hog Lane. The council is expected to approve the revised plans, which follow a previous application rejected by London Mayor Boris Johnson because it breached planning rules and subsequently withdrawn.
King Street Developments, a joint venture between Grainger and Helical Bar, say that if it gets the go ahead, the development will enhance Hammersmith's civic and cultural landscape.
October 3, 2013
