The first new Thames River crossing for more than a decade, linking Fulham and Battersea, is set to go ahead.

At a meeting held on November 20, Hammersmith & Fulham Council Planning Application Committee approved plans to build the new £22million foot and cycle bridge, dubbed the Diamond Jubilee Bridge.

Palace Investments, of New Bond Street, Mayfair, hopes to create a 170m-long bridge connecting Imperial Wharf and Chelsea Harbour, from the spot where The Queen boarded the royal barge for the diamond jubilee flotilla last year, to Battersea on the south side of the Thames.

The scheme, designed by architect Chris Medland of local firm One-World Design, drew scores of comments from local businesses, residents and authorities, with the majority of people and groups coming out in favour of the crossing.

The council's Design Review Panel, made up of representatives from local residents' associations and amenity groups, thought it was a "terrific proposal for that part of town".

Original plans submitted to the council in October last year, showed the multi-million pound bridge connected to the existing Grade II* listed Cremorne Railway Bridge – better known as Battersea Railway Bridge.

However, following objections from English Heritage, the scheme has been modified. Now the plan is for two new river piers to be erected so that the jubilee bridge would stand adjacent to the railway bridge, rather than be attached to it.

The bridge, made up of three spans with a design of three arches, will be built and maintained at no cost to the taxpayer and will be open 24 hours a day.

Wandsworth Council, the authority south of the river, approved plans for the bridge earlier this year and the Greater London Authority must give final consent but, if it goes through and funding is secured, it is hoped that construction could begin next winter.

One-World Design say on their Facebook page: "The Queens Diamond Jubilee Bridge: Planning permission granted. 6 votes to 2. The application will now be considered by the GLA and we will start actively seeking funding. 2014 is set to be an exciting year... "

Cllr Nicholas Botterill, leader of the council, says: " The new bridge has the potential to give the south of our borough a real boost by improving the local economy, bringing jobs to the area and making transport links better and faster.

" We look forward to seeing this exciting idea becoming reality and with 1.2m trips expected across the new bridge a year, this will be beneficial for local residents as well as commuters and visitors who come through the borough."

To read the Planning Applications Committee agenda for November 20 go here to view the plans, click 'planning search' and enter the planning reference 2012/03582/FUL.

 

July 18, 2013