Stop the demolition of 111 – 119 Charing Cross Road, London, and call in the planning application for public inquiry. These handsome buildings make a positive contribution to the Soho Conservation Area, and their destruction and replacement with an oversized office building would result in substantial harm to this important part of London.
Why is this important?
Westminster City Council has approved plans to demolish several key historic buildings in the Soho Conservation Area, and replace them with an oversized, bland and bulky office led development.
SAVE is asking the Secretary of State and his planning minister to call the application in for a full public inquiry to ensure this important site and the wider character of Soho is not eroded.
Soho is one of London’s most distinctive, historic areas – its diverse history and charm told through its buildings, streets and open spaces. The old Foyles building on Charing Cross Road is a landmark - strongly associated with all that makes Soho special, and is noted in the Conservation Area as a building of merit.
The proposed development is nine storeys – much higher and bulkier than its neighbours - in marked contrast to the fine grain of the surrounding streets.
Conservation Area status is meant to protect sites like this from insensitive development. SAVE is alarmed that Westminster has blithely approved the demolition of the Foyles building and adjacent ‘buildings of merit’ (their words). We consider the re-development will cause substantial harm to the character of the Conservation Area.
SAVE is calling on the Secretary of State to call-in this application for a public inquiry, and to stop the plans as currently proposed. This is our opportunity to ensure the unique character of Soho is protected from harmful re-development.
