But celebrities remain split over iconic building's future
Plans to redevelop Riverside Studios in Hammersmith have been given the green light.
Plans from developer Mount Anvil, working closely with Riverside Studios Trust - to demolish and rebuild the Riverside Studios and Queen's Wharf in Hammersmith came before Hammersmith & Fulham Council's Planning Applications Committee on Thursday December 19, where they were approved.
The plans are for a six to eight storey building with 165 homes and 8,633 square metres of commercial floor space for television and film recording studios, storage, dressing rooms, offices, a theatre, cinema, café, restaurant and bar. The scheme will also open up the riverside walk to the public.
The scheme has received mixed views from local residents and performers. Amongst those in favour are Bill Bailey, Alistair McGowan, Jack Dee and Jo Brand, who perform frequently at the studios, while actors Harriet Walter and Penelope Winton and artist Peter Blake have spoken out against the plans. You can read more about this here
Cllr Mark Loveday, cabinet member for strategy and communication, said: "The site has been run down for some time but this plan brings the riverside and this area back to life. The new studios will continue to develop the arts in our borough and will attract even more first class acts to the borough than before.
"There will also be major community benefits from this scheme, with £3.2 million being spent on local transport, affordable housing, roads, parks, the riverside walk and playgrounds, health care, job opportunities and training, and education."
December 20, 2013