Balham rail hub a target for hotel development

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

A new hotel with flats above could be built next to Balham’s Tube and National Rail stations.

The plans would see the transformation of an existing parade of shops in Balham High Road.

The scheme, from developer Governside Ltd, would see the existing two-storey building extended to five storeys, with 18 hotel rooms across the new second and third floors.

All 18 rooms, totalling 36 beds, would have en-suite bathrooms, with cooking facilities to cater for guests looking for longer stays and a communal laundry room.

Snappy Snaps on the ground floor would be converted into the entrance lobby for the new hotel, while Pret a Manger would be kept. The first floor of the building, which has offices, would remain largely unchanged.

A fourth floor would also be added to replace existing flats on the second floor that would be lost as a result of the development.

A statement submitted with the application said the developer wants to “realise the potential of this site, making best use of the property’s outstanding town centre location close to restaurants, shopping and entertainment, and its excellent transport links to all parts of London and beyond.”

A lift serving all floors would also be installed to make all of the building accessible. The hotel would not offer any parking. Wandsworth council will make a decision on the application.

Pictured top: CGI of the plans for the new hotel in Balham High Road (Picture: Fulcrum Building Design Ltd/Governside Ltd)