Green light for last timber yard in England and Wales to be demolished

Westminster council has given the go ahead for Aukett Swanke’s controversial designs to turn the last surviving historic timber yard in England and Wales into shops for land owner and developer Grosvenor.

A campaign was launched to save the timber yard, gaining over 1,200 signatures, and was backed by the chairman of Save Britain’s Heritage, Marcus Binney who described the Grosvenor’s original plans as “like a scowl in the midst of a row of smiling faces”. The proposal has also been criticised by the Belgravia Residents Association, the Belgravia Society and the Pimlico Road Association.

The plans received more than 300 objections principally over the loss of the timber yard which the objectors considered an important local service contributing to the historic and mixed use character of the area, as well as objections to the loss of the retail uses which occupy the smaller retail units.

But Westminster’s planning chair Robert Davis defended the decision and added: “The structure of the timber yard will be retained, protecting the past whilst modernising for the future, which will hopefully go some way to meeting the concerns raised by locals.

“Planning decisions are not X-Factor style contests. Westminster welcomes all views on applications, which we consider carefully before reaching a conclusion in the context of planning law.

“The proposed development will bring exciting new opportunities to the site, increasing footfall with four new retail units alongside much needed additional housing which will enhance the character of the local area.”

The approved proposals will see the 175-year old Newson Timber Yards, which is currently occupied by builders merchant Travis Perkins, surrounding retail units and five residential dwellings converted into four retail units and seven residential dwellings.

The yard, rejected for listing, was built in the 1840s by John Newson along with some of the surrounding buildings, many of which are listed. A heritage assessment conducted by historic building consultant Jeffery W George & Associates on behalf of Travis Perkins said the yard was worth saving.

But the council disagreed, paving the way for work to begin. It also rejected a bid from Travis Perkins to have the timber yard recognised as sui generis – where developments cannot be used for purposes that are not within the use class for which they received planning – rather than a retail unit.

Will Bax, director of placemaking at Grosvenor’s London estate said: “This is an important milestone for Pimlico Road. We consulted more than 200 people – residents, businesses and stakeholders – in reaching these plans which we believe will provide a welcome boost to the area. 

“We remain committed to growing Pimlico Road’s global appeal as an independent design and retail district. We see no fundamental trade-off.”