The historic Shepherd’s Bush Market in West London is set to be refurbished – with a new nine-storey building and 40 new homes sparking some accusations of ‘rampant gentrification’.
The revamp will largely replace the 109-year-old market which contains sprawling stalls and is seen as an iconic London landmark for many.
Yoo Capital won planning permission to refurbish the bazaar – igniting fury among some locals at the ‘rampant gentrification’ of the area less than a mile from the huge Westfield shopping centre, TimeOut reported.
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Some refurbished market stalls will remain at the site, while plans also include the construction of 40 new affordable homes that will be managed by the council and designed by architects AHMM.
A commercial building with a life science incubator for Imperial College is also reportedly set to be installed at the market.
Buildings formerly used as a homeless hostel by charity St Mungo’s would be demolished to make way for the new scheme – with that part of the site reportedly used currently as a temporary artists’ space.
Shepherd’s Bush has been lovingly nicknamed SheBu by locals, with local blogs such as The Women’s Room using the nickname to refer to the West London suburb.
Shepherd’s Bush Market is set to be refurbished, sparking fury among some locals
Slide to see the before and anticipated after of the iconic Shepherd’s Bush Market in west London
The before and after of the market’s entrance is significantly different, with the future image looking much more modern
Peter Wheeler, Chair of Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association, said: ‘On behalf of the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association, we are very pleased that the project now has the go ahead from Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
‘The traders have been in limbo for the last 15 years and the Market has been in a continuing downward spiral in footfall and trade. We’re pleased that we can now begin to plan for our future.’
Developers, who are also working on the £1.3billion refurbishment of Kensington Olympia, were reportedly given the green light by Hammersmith & Fulham council’s planning committee last month.
It came even as a council committee meeting to approve the development had to be abandoned when 20 protestors from local community group Protect Shepherd’s Bush Market disturbed the proceedings, TimeOut reported.
After the council vote on December 20, Protect Shepherd’s Bush Market shared a statement on X which said: ‘Tonight’s vote to waive through the gentrification of Shepherd’s Bush Market is a shameful decision to side with corporate greed.’
‘Labour councillors asked performative questions about gentrification, trader retention and arch disrepair only to vote the application through. The Council have sided with the developer and ignored community and trader concerns for 18 months.
‘Tonight just 3 councillors voted to approve an application which will push out traders and destroy the market’s diversity and character. We will continue to fight this application and the rampant gentrification it represents.’
The decision has sparked fear among traders, who worry they will be pushed out of the market and lose their income – with 30 having written to the council to share their concerns
An image shows the prediction of what the market will look like after the refurbishment
Shepherd’s Bush is seen in a historic image of the site in west London
A woman browsing the bags on sale as the stallholder hands her a bag from the back of the stall in the marketplace in Shepherd’s Bush in 1968
Shepherd’s Bush Market is seen in 1948, with traditional stalls set up
A report to members of Hammersmith and Fulham’s Planning and Development Control Committee revealed 126 objections had been received in connection with the proposals since they were submitted in May – as opposed to 103 representations in support of the scheme.
Concerns about the height and scale of the proposals have been raised, with Government heritage adviser Historic England describing the proposals as harmful and ‘visually dominant’ to the character of the Shepherd’s Bush Conservation Area.
A Historic England spokesperson said: ‘Historic England advised Hammersmith and Fulham Council that the proposed development at Shepherd’s Bush Market would have a negative impact on the Shepherd’s Bush Conservation Area.
‘Our main concern is the height of the proposed development, which would overshadow and, therefore, diminish the special historic character of the area. We note that the Council have determined to grant permission for the scheme.’
MailOnline has contacted Yoo Capital, Hammersmith & Fulham council and AHMM for comment.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12921703/Shepherds-Bush-Market-torn-West-London-suburb-rebranded-SheBu-locals-protest.html
