'New Start' for Shepherd's Bush Market after Development Plan is Scrapped
Developer U+I will resolve matters with traders before discussing new proposals
Computer generated image of redeveloped market
Regeneration specialist U+I has promised to make "a new start" at Shepherd's Bush Market after plans to redevelop it and build over 200 flats were scrapped.
U+I was one half of Orion Shepherd's Bush Ltd, a company formed for the project with partner Orion Land and Leisure.
Now however, Orion Land and Leisure has ended its involvement with the development and handed over day to day running of the 102-year-old market to U+I.
U+I deputy chief executive Richard Upton said: "Following conversations with the local authority and traders, we are looking at ways to improve the existing market.
"This is a new start, with a new team led by U+I, and as such we will not be bringing forward the previous scheme.
"We look forward to consulting with traders and the local community over the coming months to make improvements to the existing market and resolve current matters with the market tenants before consulting and discussing any new proposals that may come forward."
Last month, Orion Shepherds Bush Ltd withdrew its application to appeal to the Supreme Court over a previous decision to quash the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) which the developers Orion Land and Leisure needed to aquire the site.
It is believed that the Council will now work with U+I to come up with a new proposal for the site which will give greater guarantees to the market traders and do more to protect the market's unique identity. The previous scheme gave traders no protection against unaffordable rent rises and left them responsible for maintenance costs.
James Horada, Chair of the Shepherd's Bush Market Tenants Association (SBMTA) said: " We now hope that there will be positive and constructive dialogue between all parties and we look forward to the traders being treated with respect whilst sensible and fair proposals and investments are offered to aid and strengthen the long-standing businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market."
The trader' fight against the development attracted huge local support from the public with a petition to protect the market collecting nearly 10,000 signatures.
Last month, Richard Stein of Leigh Day, and solicitor for the market traders said:" The fact the Court could only quash the CPO completely was extremely important because Hammersmith & Fulham Council had changed from a Conservative to a Labour led Council in 2014. The new Labour council was elected on a manifesto promising to oppose the Shepherd's Bush Market CPO made by its predecessor.
"As a result, the council is now committed to promoting a market regeneration which safeguards the Market's character and the current stallholders."
In March the group received the backing of a High Court judge who ruled that former Communities Secretary Eric Pickles had not given proper reasons for backing the CPO. The CPO was put in place in February 2015 after Mr Pickles overturned the recommendation of an independent senior inspector following a Public Inquiry in 2014.
The Inspector, Ava Wood, had recommended that the CPO should be refused because the proposed development of Shepherd’s Bush Market did not offer sufficient guarantees and financial safeguards for the special character of the market and the long-standing market traders. She also stated that the development would threaten the ethnic diversity, independence and small scale retailing environment that is central to the appeal of the area.
September 19, 2016
