Planning Committee councillors have unanimously rejected the latest submission for the redevelopment of the Homebase site on Swandon Way.

Citing concerns that the developers had entirely failed to address the scale and height of the Station Building in the new plans, almost all Councillors expressed their disappointment with the proposal and suggested that the applicants re-examine the whole scheme. The Schoolyard site across Trinity Way was held up as an example of how development could be done right if the developers put their mind to it.

Our Councillor Stuart Thom spoke with some passion on behalf of local residents and urged the committee to protect the Tonsleys.

We shall await the new submission with interest and hope that once the elections are over, Councillors remember commitments made before June 8th.

Developer Minerva has submitted plans that show the vast residential tower on the site growing even further to 36 storeys.

The Wandsworth Society has issued a call to action and we’d been keen to hear you views too. We have until 18th March to air our concerns.

Details below:

Minerva plc have today – 30th June – presented their updated plans for the Ram Brewery site. The previous plans were rejected by a public enquiry in 2010. The TRA was hugely supportive of the rejection as we were concerned about the effect of the massive twin towers both on the local environment and public transport.

You can take a look at the full details on their Ram Brewery Site

We’d love to know what you think. Leave a comment below

In July 2010 The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government overturned Wandsworth Council’s approval of Minerva’s plans to develop the Ram Brewery site, which included building 1036 flats in two towers of 32 and 42 stories.

Proposed Ram Brewery Towers.
Big, weren't they?

After the Secretary of State agreed to “call in” the plans at the request of Martin Linton, Battersea’s then MP, there was a Public Enquiry in November 2009. Opposition to the development was lead by the Wandsworth Society and the Health and Safety Executive. The Tonsley Residents Association supported the Society by submitting written evidence and its members attended every day of the Enquiry.

The TRA objected to the development on the grounds of its height and density, the inclusion of insufficient affordable housing, the detrimental impact it would have on an already crowded Wandsworth Town station, the inherent danger of building such a huge development next to the gasholders and that the proposed changes to the gyratory system would mean more traffic in Old York Road. Basically we said that these towers, if they were to be built, would overshadow the Tonsleys and endanger what up to now has been one of Wandsworth’s most successful examples of urban regeneration.

The development in its present form was rejected because “while the scheme would… enhance the character of the High Street and bring the brewery buildings into beneficial use…the presence of the two tall towers would be so overwhelming that they would harm the character and setting of listed buildings and undermine the distinctive quality of the conservation area.” In addition, there was deemed to be insufficient affordable housing and the towers’ proximity to the gasholders was considered to be a safety risk. Interestingly the Enquiry rejected the suggestion that 1036 new flats would overwhelm the local transport system saying that it was “adequate” and could cope with the additional demand which is something to reflect on the next time you try to cram on to a rush hour train.

We must be vigilant! We hope approval will be sought for alterna- tive plans for the site and that Wandsworth Council will work with all the interested parties to reach an acceptable solution that does not compromise the character of the area. The TRA will review any new proposals and again make positive comments on the development of what is the most important site in the borough.