Blitz survivor ‘must go’ to make way for new flats and school

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

Approval has been given for the demolition of a building that survived The Blitz to make way for a state-of-the-art school and flats.

Hammersmith and Fulham council said tearing down Gordon Cottage and surrounding buildings in Avonmore Road to build 91 flats, a modern primary school, nursery and playground was an ‘appropriate’ use of land.

The development, which is being led by the council, is expected to result in 45 affordable units, with the majority (60 per cent) being let at social rent levels.

The council expects the sale of 46 flats at market rate to help fund the project. The site is currently run as a primary school and nursery – Avonmore Primary School and Nursery – which would get new homes on the revamped site.

Included in the proposal is cycle parking, new landscaping and a terrace with a running track, and table tennis equipment on the second floor of the school, an application submitted to the council shows. The number of school places will not increase under the development.

The plans have been met with resistance from residents and local associations, with 75 objectors writing in. The Hammersmith Society said the scale and quality of the development ‘represents substantial change in a conservation area’.

The Avonmore Residents’ Association accused the council of ignoring ‘significant and robust’ public opposition. Historic England said the demolition of a building of merit erodes the character and appearance of the conservation area.

It wrote: “Heritage assets, including those which are non-designated, are irreplaceable. It is important that proper weight be given to the merit of Gordon Cottage both in its own right and as a positive contributor to the significance of a designated heritage asset.”

Objectors have also complained of the impact around the loss of trees, daylight and privacy. They said the development should include a GP surgery and dental practice and accused the council of a conflict of interest as both the developer and approver, though this is not uncommon. The council said there were no acquisition costs because it already owns the land.

It added it would not seek the usual profit margin of 20-25pc which it said would typically be included by a commercial developer. The council’s own analysis shows the project is expected to result in a £12m deficit.

The local authority said the harm caused by demolishing Gordon Cottage will be outweighed by the public benefit. It also said much of the original design inside Gordon Cottage has been eroded by years of renovations in a bid to modernise the building.

They wrote: “Whilst the cottage does represent an important understanding and remnant of the early evolution of the built form of the local area, and is of high-quality architecture, this is not considered to be a unique or noteworthy development in the wider context.”

The application also received 140 submissions of support with many claiming the property was in desperate need of improvement and was currently unfit for use.

Hammersmith and Fulham council approved design plans in March 2019.

According to the council, Gordon Cottage has been occupied since the 1840s. The surrounding buildings were built in the 1950s. Gordon Cottage is a building which survived the Nazi bombing of West London during World War II, according to a petition on change.org with over 300 signatures.

Councillors will meet on Tuesday to review the application.

 Pictured top: Avonmore Primary (Picture: Google Street View)