Future of ITV studios set to be decided
By Adam Davidson
The future of ITV’s historic London Studios will be decided at an eagerly-awaited council meeting next week.
Lambeth council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday evening to discuss controversial plans for the redevelopment of the South Bank.
The planned redevelopment at 72 Upper Ground looks to demolish the studios and replace them with office blocks, more than double their size.
There have been hundreds of local objections to the proposal and a petition signed by more than 1,250 people, mainly due to its size.
Upper Ground tenant Dearbhla Molloy, 76, said: “As someone who lives directly opposite the proposed development, I would ask Lambeth council to reject this application on both aesthetic and light grounds.
“In my case the daylight in my living room, where I spend most of my day, will be reduced by 75 per cent, and I would find this profoundly depressing.”
The proposed redevelopment has also received criticism from politicians and MPs.
Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall, said: “I do not believe that the merits of this application outweigh the significant number of negative consequences.
“This is a view supported by the overwhelming majority of the large number of public representations made, a fact recognised in the officers’ report which calls the proposal ‘controversial and extremely unpopular’.
“I therefore hope that this application will be reconsidered in favour of one which utilises this key strategic site for local benefit without such a substantial degree of unnecessary harm”.
A spokeswoman for 72 Upper Ground said: “Number 72 Upper Ground will give a real boost to the South Bank, bringing new jobs and investment to one of London’s most popular destinations.
“We are confident that this is a scheme that encompasses the very best of the South Bank and complements the existing area.
“We have worked hard throughout the planning process to reflect on feedback from local residents and Lambeth council and have made adjustments including significantly reducing the building mass and further opening up the route through to the riverfront, while ensuring the building maintains its high-quality design and enables the delivery of key benefits such as affordable workspace and cultural spaces.
“The whole community will be able to enjoy the new open spaces, public routes, retail uses and arts and cultural offerings that will be unlocked by the proposed redevelopment.”
Pictured top: A computer-generated image of the view of the new development from Waterloo Bridge (Picture: Make Architects)
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Please make clear that the apparently beautiful terraces shown in the image are entirely private, not accessible to the public, and not even viewable since they are on the 6th floor.