Soho streets to be nurtured (06/03/2007)

An area in the heart of Soho should remain a vibrant residential community with flourishing small businesses, Westminster City Council has said.

The council's Planning and City Development Committee last week (28/2/07) approved a planning brief for Berwick Street, Peter Street, Broadwick Street and Ingestre Place.

Councillor Robert Davis, Westminster City Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "Westminster has taken on board the objections to the redevelopment of the area that were expressed to us.

Our response to these concerns is this planning brief that sets out how the area can move forward and be regenerated while also preserving the strong local community."

A planning brief is a statement by a local authority that outlines the type of development it will consider in any area and while it is not a binding document, a planning brief plays a major consideration in deciding planning applications.

Westminster's Planning and City Development Committee approved a draft planning brief for the area in October last year to take into account the views of local people before the council proceeded with any ideas for the regeneration of the area.

The site is in the heart of Soho and the streets covered by the planning brief have all that is necessary to make a successful and sustainable urban community.

In terms of potential land uses, Westminster believes that residential accommodation is most suitable for Berwick Street area.

The council's policy is that 30 per cent of this should be affordable. Westminster acknowledges that it may not be practical or reasonable to redevelop Kemp House and Ingestre Court.

But the council has left the door open for the redevelopment of Trenchard House, as long as this makes a positive contribution to the conservation area and adjacent sites.

The planning brief also advises that off-street parking for new residential units might not be required in the area and residential development will be expected to comply with parking mitigation measures.

The planning brief says there is no scope to provide residential off-street parking at ground level. The planning brief states that "amusement arcades and centres, sex-related uses and mini-cab offices will not be permitted in the planning brief area".

It also acknowledges that the Berwick Street area is an important local retail centre and is also home to one of London's oldest street markets.

Some of the proposals for Berwick Street include:

*Provision for the creation of a "green roof" on Kemp House and measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, particularly street urination, in its ground floor recesses

*The possibility of bringing Trenchard House back into use as a facility for key workers or if there is no demand for this, then affordable flats could be built there

*Possible expansion of Westminster Kingsway College

Councillor Danny Chalkley, Westminster's Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport added: "It is often forgotten that Soho is home to many people who care passionately about their area. The planning brief that has been adopted acknowledges this fact and that the Berwick Street area is a vibrant residential area".

For more information please call Westminster City Council's Press Office on 0207 641 2259.

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