The company behind a huge development proposed for Mortlake has responded to some of residents' main concerns.
Reselton Properties has submitted three planning applications on the former Stag Brewery site, which include a possible 817 apartments, with blocks reaching eight storeys, as well as a secondary school for 900 pupils.
A cinema, hotel, gym, shops, restaurants and office space are also proposed.
Many are worried about the scale of the development, labelling it “overbearing”- the number of homes proposed represent an increase in population of anything from 30 to 40 per cent.
Proposed apartment block
Reselton said the size of the site “creates a greater opportunity to deliver significant new public spaces, jobs, amenities and public services that can serve the wider population of Mortlake as well as the new community” through a “design-led masterplan”.
A spokeswoman said the scale is “in line with the objectives of the council’s planning brief for the site”.
However, the height of the buildings exceed the council’s planning brief for the site in 2011.
Reselton said building heights “vary across the site” and in “most cases” comply with the brief.
The tallest building are “towards the centre of the site”, and the different heights “allows a varied landscape”, according to the developer.
A spokeswoman said: “The mix of building heights, setbacks at upper levels, broken frontage façade to the river and circulation between the buildings and river wall ensure that the proposed development does not dominate the towpath or riverside environment.”
Users of the Mortlake Crossing, which Network Rail has already designated as “high risk”, are concerned about the extra nearly 2,000 people who will be coming to and from the site.
Although Network Rail said the crossing at Sheen Lane poses danger to users, Reselton said “the accident statistics for Sheen Lane do not indicate that there is any specific safety problem relating to pedestrians and cyclists at this crossing”.
The crossing has been labelled 'high risk' to users
A spokeswoman said the developer has carried out a “detailed assessment” which “indicated that the impacts of the development on the crossing will be relatively modest”.
Loss of green space is another concern for people, the brewery’s existing grass playing fields- two football pitches- will be replaced by one 3G artificial pitch, a school building, and a hard multi-games area.
Responding to this issue Reselton said: “Extensive new green space – almost 4 hectares - is proposed in the form of courtyard gardens, a new community park and a range of open green areas throughout the site, down to the river.
“This is a significant improvement compared to the existing situation of no publicly accessible space on the site.”
The Mortlake Brewery Community Group (MBCG), part of the Love Mortlake Campaign, believes the school and all-weather pitch are too large for the site.
Proposed school and 3G pitch
Reselton said: “The requirement to deliver a school of this size has been driven by the council and its revised education requirement. A full size football pitch with an artificial surface is required for use by the school on account of its size and the frequent nature of required use.
“We have consulted with the community on the location of the school and have discussed with them various positions on the site and believe they are happy with where we have now placed it and its specification.”
The developer added the outdoor play areas will be available to the community and sports groups outside of school hours, at weekends and holidays.
MBCG is also concerned the school site will provide a “sub-optimal experience” for pupils due to limited play space.
The developer said as well as the pitch and multi-games area, there will be an indoor sports hall and roof-play facilities for pupils.
Major concerns have been raised about the proposed changes to Chalker’s corner- the developers want to widen it.
MBCG say Reselton’s traffic assessment is “far from conclusive” and “may indeed simply attract further through traffic”, causing noise, disturbance, and increased pollution for Chertsey Court residents.
Reselton said: “Chalkers Corner went through a number of design iterations in close consultation with the council’s highways officers and Transport for London as well as with other relevant transport bodies and local groups including Chertsey Court residents.
“The impacts on air quality from the proposed development have been thoroughly considered and a road safety audit has been carried out.
“TfL have confirmed that they are satisfied in principal with both the modelling work undertaken and that the proposed improvements mitigate the effect of any additional vehicle trips generated by the development.
“The road junction improvements, together with other proposed mitigation measures, will ensure that there are no material air quality impacts resulting from the development proposals and the proposed new boundary wall and landscape proposals will act as a screen from the vehicle tailpipe emissions and noise for properties in Chertsey Court.”
There is 20 per cent affordable housing on offer, however, Reselton said “the final and overall” provision “will be determined following consultation and discussions with GLA”.
What’s your view? Contact: grainne.cuffe@newsquest.co.uk
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