The Friends of Tite Street welcome the clear and robust objection submitted by our ward councillors Elizabeth Campbell, Cem Kemahli and Emma Will to the proposed redevelopment of St Wilfrid’s. Their letter – which you can read here – sets out, with precision, why the current scheme is unacceptable on grounds of height, massing, townscape impact, heritage sensitivity and the loss of community benefit. Their assessment echoes the concerns raised consistently by residents across Tite Street and the wider neighbourhood.

In a letter of formal objection, Cllrs Elizabeth Campbell, Cem Kemahli, Emma Will said:

“As a borough with an ageing population the loss of a care home is deeply regrettable, and it is therefore disappointing that this application has no provision for care within it. As the applicant is seeking a change of use it is on them to overcome the very high policy bar. As the current proposal fails to deliver onsite affordable housing nor indeed is an alternative in-borough offer made this bar has not been met.

“In summary – whilst we fully welcome development in RBKC and wish to see sensitive new homes being brought forward the current proposal does not just fail to meet the policy tests we’ve outlined it also fails to deliver a net-benefit to the area and to the Borough.

“We hope the developer will listen and amend their scheme to take account of the reasonable and justified concerns of ourselves and our residents.”

The Friends of Tite Street are grateful to our ward councillors for their leadership and for standing with residents at this critical moment. We hope London Square will take heed of these well-founded concerns and work with the community to bring forward a more proportionate, sensitive and policy-compliant scheme.