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The Riverside including the Bridge, Riverside Studios – A film studio in 1933, operated by the BBC 1954-1975, Riverside Trust 1975-, rebuilt 2014-2018
Negotiations are now progressing for a possible location south of Hammersmith Bridge.
Watch this space…
In the meantime, John Goodier, Chairman of the Hammersmith and Fulham Historic Buildings Group, has advised us as follows : ‘London Landscapes no 42 Spring 2016 contains a lot of information about Brown in London. There are 42 Brown sites in London of which 27 are supported by signed plans or payment in accounts or bank records. The 27 include Peterborough House and Ranelagh House in LBHF. Ravenscourt park has evidence of Brown at 20%. There are about 30 Brown sites in the river side Boroughs Westminster to Richmond and two sites in Ealing. It has been said in the past that Brown did nothing locally and there was no particular reason why he lived in Hammersmith’. The other key reason why he chose to live in Hammersmith was because of the extensive tree nurseries that existed in the area.
The 16-page April Newsletter has been published and circulated to subscribing members. Subjects include:
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The Council have published this draft strategy and are seeking comments before the end of January. The report can be accessed here. The Hammersmith Society is currently assembling its response.
There were worrying reports in the Evening Standard and local news bulletins before Christmas, suggesting that there were problems with the funding of the fit out of the replacement studios which are due to re-open in 2017.
The Hammersmith Society strongly supports the return of the Studios in its new home and format. You can see the layout of the new premises at www.riversidestudios.co.uk
Unfortunately William Burdett-Coutts and Guy Hornsby are both out of the country presently so I have been unable to get their comments : A meeting is being arranged with them on their return.
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Work is still in preparation for the major repairs and strengthening of the bridge. The works are being sponsored by TfL but organised by engineers from our Council.
Tenders are being sought from specialist companies. The cost and time required and potential closures will depend on the responses. However, it is now likely that the works will not start before the late summer. Ian Hawthorn, the Council officer supervising the project, will keep us posted on the outcome of the tenders and the implications on programme and closures. He also confirms that the works will include the complete repainting of the bridge.
Time for a change of colour? I have mentioned this to you before but received no response . . . . !?
Thames Water are about to announce revised plans for sites they wish to use in the construction of this project, and will be seeking further consultation. If you think your property may be affected, and you would like to comment or just find out more – visit www.thameswater.co.uk/counterscreek
Thames Water Holds New Drop-in Sessions over Storm Relief Sewer
Seeking further feedback on selection of five preferred sites
Thames Water is holding a new series of public drop-in sessions in January and February after selecting five preferred sites to construct a new storm relief sewer.
The sites are at:
Thames Water says it is inviting residents in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to give their views on the updated plans to protect properties from the misery of sewer flooding.
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Our Committee member Richard Jackson has long been campaigning for a statue of Brown who lived on Hammersmith Mall for 13 years at the height of his career. He moved here to be near the numerous tree and plant nurseries in the area. 2016 is the 300th Anniversary of his birth. It seems others around the country are equally keen on the project. Richard writes “Following the three television programmes ‘Titchmarsh on Brown’ (More 4) which featured Hammersmith and the rediscovered drawings of an unbuilt landscape in the Belvoir Castle archive, we were contacted by Laury Dizengremel, the Artist-in-Residence at Belvoir Castle who is offering to erect a lifesize realistic statue to Brown in a public place, paid for by public subscription. This dovetails in with our proposals perfectly.
The eminent landscape historian, John Phibbs, had recommended Hammersmith to her as a suitable site. With the enthusiastic support of the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Stephen Cowan, we have started to sound out local amenity societies with a view to finding an appropriate site . . . This is a project whose time has come. . .”
It understood that several Mall sites are being considered but it seems unfortunately there is still some local opposition to the project.
For more information on Capability Brown, visit www.capabilitybrown.org
Triangle Site : The last commercial scheme was refused permission: A new residential scheme has been submitted but officers are waiting for additional information before the scheme is ‘validated’ and consultations can commence.
Walkabout Site : The developers (Dorsett Hotel) are in the process of setting up consultation on a new scheme prepared by the architects for the hotel conversion and not the perpetrators of the much disliked 16 storey tower.
Cambridge Grove : Former piano and aircraft factory : Currently offices behind Banim Street – to stay as offices. Pre-app. consultations with the developers/architect are on going including a site visit. There are contentious items on the scheme to be resolved.
Savoy Circus : We have written criticising the external appearance of a student hostel scheme (but not the principle) on the site of the former cinema/bingo hall on the corner of Westway/Old Oak Road. It is an important gateway coming into Hammersmith.
Latymer Boat House : We have responded to an application to refurbish and update the 1960s glazed building on the Mall. The plans also involve an extension at the side adjacent to Latymer House which is a Building of Merit. Generally we liked the scheme but have one or two concerns around the location of the extension.
Town Hall Development : It seems that the revised scheme will finally commence on site in the spring with demolition of the Cineworld cinema as the first phase. (There is to be a replacement cinema in due course). Some details are currently being reviewed.
Despite recent emergency closures, the bridge is due to be completely closed next year for a more radical overhaul and strengthening to allow double decker buses to use it again. (They were banned when there were previous structural problems).
Our understanding is that this work is likely to take six months from next summer. The works will also involve repainting (and relighting). When it was last repainted, many lamented the loss of the more decorative treatment in pastel colours by the London County Council. The replacement in what many people refer to as Harrods green came about after studies of the original paint scheme by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in 1887 and was strongly advised by English Heritage. A new lighting scheme was also installed by the Council and which won a Hammersmith Society Environment Award in 2001, but the deck lighting has proved unreliable and difficult to maintain.
The Hammersmith Society Committee feel that there is an opportunity to revisit both the colour and the lighting and that an exciting way to explore possibilities would be for an open competition : We would be happy to organise this but obviously there would need to be agreement with both the Council and TfL who are funding the main project.
Do let us know what you think!
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