New skyscraper could replace Met’s former counter terrorism HQ
By Owen Sheppard, local democracy reporter
A new 32-storey skyscraper could replace the Met Police’s former counter terrorism HQ in West London, plans show.
Berkeley Homes wants to demolish Paddington Green Police Station and build 556 flats, as well as 6,170 square metres of retail and office floor space.
The company is also redeveloping a swathe of land adjacent to the police station in Edgware Road. This West End Gate project includes a 30-storey tower and 560 flats. Its one-bed properties have sold for £900,000.
This latest development would include three buildings at 32, 18 and 15 storeys tall.
Of the new flats, 210 would be “affordable”, and 40 per cent of those would be for “social” rent.
The company would also pay the council “nearly £20 million” in Community Infrastructure Levy, and a carbon offset contribution of “over £1 million”.
In its plans, Berkeley Homes said the scheme would feature: “New pedestrian and cycle routes through and around the site, new public open space, play space, significant tree planting, greening and landscaping.”
Berkeley hosted consultation events with Paddington residents in February and March, and its planning application was validated by Westminster Council last week.
Paddington Green Police Station closed in late 2018. In February last year, the site was occupied for three weeks by squatters from a group called the Green Anti-Capitalist Front, according to reports by The Guardian.
Berkeley has been criticised for the way it is carrying out the construction of hundreds of new flats in the West End Gate scheme.
In December, residents in Princess Louise Close spoke about the amount of noise, dust and air pollution they have experienced from the sprawling construction site next to their homes.
A terminally-ill woman whose living room window is only feet away from one of the new West End Gate buildings said she and others felt “trapped like animals”.
Responding to the story, a Berkeley spokesperson said “on a number of occasions” it responded to noise complaints from neighbouring residents on the same day they were reported.
it’s awful the way we are being treated -i live in penfold street and, we were promised money to move if we were not healthy enough to cope with the new flats/demolition of buildings nearby this has not happen and, to make matters worse the currant mayor of London seaside/country home scheme is just another way to kill off older folks as the contract with Cotman’s housing is a con all the placement’s have buried Asbestos in the floors [ and yes i have that in writing] i tried to move you see because i and registered blind/disabled – a chemists [Collins] which has serviced us all for 30 years [i moved here just as Mr Patel started up his business] he has been given notice to quit if still there xmas he will be evicted so, many promises i am not against the regeneration i just want the 10 grand plus cost of moving promised back 2019 [again i have that in writing]- thank you