Hammersmith Town Hall Extension report PDF - Greater London ...

Form, architecture and appearance
35 London Plan policy 4B.1 and 4B.2 underpin the Mayor’s aspiration to create world class
architecture that inspires, excites and delights. Notwithstanding the concerns raised above
regarding scale and impact, the architecture is modern and well considered and will create a high
quality environment that will significantly improve this part of the town centre.
Layouts
36 The applicant seeks to achieve exemplary standards regarding layout and quality of
accommodation. At ground floor level, the layout of retail cafe uses facing the new square is
supported, as is the broad layout to the new food store although the location of the lift core at the
store entrance door may cause congestion for those waiting for a lift and those coming in from the
street level. The uses along the Cromwell Avenue boulevard are largely servicing uses. It creates a
back to the building with limited active ground floor uses with the exception of the very southern
end of the road where duplexes are introduced. Views of this elevation should be provided as
already requested above regarding the impact of the tower on Cromwell Avenue.
37 The creation of the new square and the ceremonial steps whilst positive to the
reinstatement of the listed building, creates a new challenge regarding inclusive access to the
western route up to the civic offices and through to Furnival Gardens. It is unfortunate that the
steps opposite the concierge cannot be designed out to allow a gentle slope up to the ‘river walk’
without the need for a kickback ramp to be introduced. This should be discussed further with the
GLA’s Inclusive Access Advisor. Notwithstanding the above, the new link leading to the new
bridge is positive and spaces created below the walkway have been well defined as office amenity
and will be carefully lit to ensure the space is well surveyed and open.
38 The Mayor’s emerging space standards will be met which is supported. There is a single
unit to the northern tower, which appears as north facing. This does however benefit from a small
balcony, which is part east facing allowing some, but very limited, morning sunlight.
Design summary
39 The approach has many positive aspects to the design. Fundamentally, however, the scale
of the southern tower needs further testing as described above in particular further views testing
from south side of the river. The route from King Street to the bridge also needs further
consideration in terms of inclusive access. The route along Cromwell Road also needs testing in
terms of scale and active uses and in views from the west of the site facing east along King Street
into the conservation area.
Inclusive design
40 London Plan Policy 4B.5 ‘creating an inclusive environment’ expects all future development
to meet the highest standard of accessibility and inclusion. This, together with the Supplementary
Planning Guidance ‘Accessible London: achieving an inclusive environment’ underpins the
principles of inclusive design and the aim to achieve an accessible and inclusive environment
consistently across London. Inclusive design principles if embedded into the development and
design process from the outset help to ensure that all of us, including older people, disabled and
deaf people, children and young people, can use the places and spaces proposed comfortably,
safely and with dignity. The aim of Policy 4B.5 is to ensure that proposals achieve the highest
standards of accessibility and inclusion, not just the minimum. Draft replacement London Plan
Policy 7.2 ‘An inclusive environment’ similarly requires all future development to meet the highest
standard of accessibility and inclusion.
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