Plans for Palais Refused

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Scheme for students residences "unacceptable"

A plan to demolish the Hammersmith Palais and put a ten storey building in its place has been turned down by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

Developers London & Regional hoped to build 429 flats, plus leisure and retail space on the site, at 242 Shepherds Bush Road.

But after objections from the Hammersmith Society, the Hammersmith and Fulham Historic Buildings Group and the Greater London Authority, the council's planning applications committee voted unanimously against the scheme,

Committe chairman Cllr Alex Chalk said that the huge development would have a negative impact on the area.

He said: "We could never have allowed this massive building, which was completely out of character and not in keeping with other buildings in the area, to be dumped in the heart of Hammersmith.

"The application did not meet planning requirements and was unacceptable."

In 2002, planning permission was granted to demolish the Palais and redevelop the site into a six-storey scheme, incorporating offices, a new restaurant, and leisure space.

However, the time limit on when building had to begin was extended until November 7 this year, and the latest application for the bigger scheme was then submitted in August.

Twenty local residents also wanted the scheme refused, saying that it was too big, would lead to noise disturbances and put pressure on Hammersmith's already busy roads.

The Palais de Danse, as the venue was originally called, opened in 1919 to host ballroom dancing and bands, and remained a music and dance venue until it closed in April
2007.