https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/news/ Working to preserve and enhance our architecture and urban environment since 1962 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:01:02 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://i0.wp.com/www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cropped-hammersmith-society_founded1962.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/news/ 32 32 141086131 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/2025-awards-evening-and-agm/ Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:47:39 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=35905 (AGM Photos: Anne Farthing. Click for larger versions) We were delighted to announce our 2025 Awards at the delayed AGM at the recital hall in Latymer Upper School on Monday 9th February. We were equally pleased to see a large number of members, and that both our MP’s felt able to tear themselves away from]]> 35905 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/the-200-year-old-bull/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:30:40 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=35656 Our member Edward Rose has thoroughly researched the Black Bull, which we wrote about in 2022, and has now written the 180-page self-published book pictured, which he’s offering to members. Since we wrote the original article, we’ve been working with Heritage of London Trust to try to find a suitable new home, and arrange for]]> 35656 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/lawn-house-proposed-redevelopment/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:54:59 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=35387 Lawn House stands on the corner of The Lawn and Uxbridge Road, next to 2023’s award-winning Hoxton Hotel, partly shown. Previously a Barclays Bank and now vacant, it provides the opportunity to complete The Lawn’s decade-long transformation into a series of hotels with improved public realm. This hotel is proposed to contain 130 rooms, 60%]]> 35387 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/royal-masonic-hospital-approval/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:17:07 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=35202 This project finally received permission by unanimous vote after a long planning meeting on 30th July, but with some remaining concerns expressed by neighbours. A member of your committee attended to observe and note the proceedings. We’ve written about this project four times and have been working to help improve the scheme since the site]]> 35202 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/rivercourt-road-ltn-and-the-west-dulwich-case/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:08:55 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=34839 In the six months since the temporary Rivercourt Road LTN was put in place, we’ve received messages nearly every week – vanishingly few positive – and it’s still regularly our most read article on the website.  Messages fall into the following categories, with more than one correspondent questioning legality: Implementation problems: I’ve received a fine,]]> 34839 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/white-city-underpass-approved-now-for-holland-park-roundabout/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:11:46 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=34916 We’re pleased to note that yesterday, LBHF and RBKC simultaneously approved the proposed pedestrian and cycle underpass underneath the Overground (Mildmay Line), linking the Imperial White City North Campus to North Kensington’s Latimer Road.  Modelled on continental schemes by Dutch architects West 8 of Rotterdam, the D&A statement includes images from several similar schemes –]]> 34916 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/tall-buildings/ Tue, 27 May 2025 09:09:22 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=32518 Hammersmith has several tall buildings, the latest being 181 Talgarth road, but perhaps the most iconic is 1961’s Empress State (31 Storeys) next to Earls Court. There are more in the pipeline, particularly on our borders. Six years ago, we wrote about the increasing fashion for rather less iconic hi-rises, then referring to what we]]> 32518 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/river-pollution/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:30:41 +0000 https://www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/?p=34491 With the recent boat races having brought with them the annual hand-wringing over river pollution, providing the Mayor with an opportunity to remind us of his 2024 pledge to make London’s rivers swimmable within 10 years, it seems an appropriate moment to review the status quo in this long running saga. In addition to the]]> 34491