Olympia – View of theatre

Olympia Way

Olympia – View up North End road

Olympia Way – New entrance

Olympia 1930 frontage & hotel

Olympia – View from rail bridge

Olympia – Hotel

(Click on images for full-sized versions, then scroll through the set)

The big and complex application for redevelopment of the 14 acre site, which includes a cluster of Listed Buildings, was approved by the Council’s Planning Committee on 30 January, having been been given a very speedy journey through the planning process.

In our view it was not fully ready to be approved, and we had hoped to gain some modifications on height and architectural detail. There are also serious concerns about how the local area will cope with the numbers of additional workers and visitors to the exhibition halls and performance spaces, while TfL has stated that there is no prospect of extending regular District Line service to Kensington Olympia station in the immediate future, and adjacent bus routes have been recently curtailed.

In our comments we stated that the new development would breathe new life into a very special part of Hammersmith. But the proposed theatre block on Hammersmith Road, the height of the central office building rising above the original Olympia buildings, and the Thomas Heatherwick – designed hotel extension on the south-east corner, which will date very quickly, should have been given more time and thought to get right.

This site (between Hammersmith Library and the Broadway) is a 1960s office building, and developers are proposing to re-clad it and remodel the interior as a Premier Inn hotel. Members of the Committee attended an exhibition of plans. 

The scheme does not involve redevelopment from the ground up so offers limited scope for a major improvement to the street scene, however we consider that the proposals are particularly bland and an opportunity has been missed to make a positive contribution to Shepherds Bush Road. We will be asking for improvements to the design.  The developer’s illustration is shown above.

Proposals for the adjacent site at 66 Hammersmith Road have now come forward as an application. (Ref 2017/04752/FUL).

We are concerned at the excessive bulk of this building and the adverse effect which it would have on the Listed buildings and Conservation Areas nearby. You can read our response to the application as attached.

 66 Hammersmith Road

Transport for London TfL is progressing its Better Junctions and Cycle Superhighway proposals for the Broadway and Town Centre in conjunction with the Council’s Highways Department. There have been concerns raised over various issues including bus lanes in Beadon Road and further consultations are due to take place at the end of June.

The long term ambition for the Flyunder is still part of the Local Plan but needs further and more committed engagement by TfL.

Preparation is still in progress for the major repair works scheduled for Hammersmith Bridge next year : No dates for the repairs and related closure have been announced yet : The Hammersmith Society have asked to be consulted on the colours and lighting of the bridge.

Our older archived newsletters (without summaries) are shown below. Click on an image to view/download the pdf .  More recent newsletters are available here.

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006