Earl's Court Development Masterplan Submitted
Planning process begins for new neighbourhood with 4,000 flats
A visualisation of an aerial view of the Earl's Court development. Picture: ECDC
September 18, 2024
The Earl’s Court Development Company has submitted its ‘masterplan’ detailing its vision to deliver a new 4,000-flat neighbourhood on a disused site.
While the hybrid proposal has yet to be validated, both Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea councils have confirmed its receipt. A Kensington and Chelsea spokesperson said they are expecting to publish it on their website ‘this week’.
The masterplan was first revealed for the 40-acre former Exhibition Centre site by the Earl’s Court Development Company (ECDC) in early 2023. As well as flats, it includes the delivery of 2.5 million square feet of workspace, 12,000 jobs, new green spaces and several venues.
Phase one, which, if approval is granted is expected to begin welcoming residents in 2030, consists of around 1,500 apartments. A community hub and nursery are also planned, as is a landmark 42-storey residential building, which will sit on the Hammersmith and Fulham side.
The ECDC, which is a joint-venture between real estate investment company Delancey, the Dutch pension fund manager APG, and Places for London, Transport for London ’s (TfL) property company, is also looking to make the scheme a hub for clean and climate tech, and to be net zero.
At the heart of the masterplan is a new 4.5 acre park, named Table Park, with 20 acres of public and green space envisioned for the site overall.
A visualisation showing planned green space in the Earl's Court development. Picture: ECDC
The ECDC says it is hoping for a planning decision to be issued by the two councils next summer, with construction to start on phase one in late 2026. A final completion date for the whole site is given as 2041.
Rob Heasman, Chief Executive of ECDC, said the company understands its responsibility to deliver homes and employment opportunities for the capital, with nearly half the site to be devoted to green and open public space.
“Critical to achieving these aims is creating a place with personality, a place that once again becomes a destination with a broad cultural appeal and fully inclusive to all that come to experience it. That place will be Earls Court.”
Delancey and APG purchased the site from Capco in 2019 for a sum of £425m. ECDC has since spent more than four years consulting with residents and developing the scheme.
A visualisation showing a piazza in the Earl's Court development. Picture: ECDC
Graeme Craig, Director and Chief Executive of Places for London, said, “We are delighted to see Earls Court Development Company reach this significant milestone in the project. This new masterplan will bring thousands of new homes, including affordable, to this well-connected part of west London, helping revitalise the area by creating a vibrant new place to visit and boosting the local economy. We’re looking forward to working closely with the development team as the masterplan progresses in the coming years.”
Jamie Ritblat, Founder and Chairman of Delancey, said, “We designed this project for people and the community, creating spaces that benefit users and occupiers, and the wider corporate market. Our focus has been on delivering value— environmentally, emotionally, and economically—while keeping the future in mind. 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. Despite economic challenges, we are proud of the result and grateful for the support of our partners. We believe this project is a beacon of hope for the capital’s future as a leading global city.”
Speculation about Chelsea FC potentially looking to move out of its Stamford Bridge home and build a multi-use stadium in Earl’s Court was reignited last week following an article by the Guardian suggesting talks had been held.
An ECDC spokesperson however told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) there was ‘no plan’ for Chelsea FC to relocate to the site.
Ben Lynch – Local Democracy Reporter