Forum Topic

Hotel on the High Street

On the news page and just approved. Any comments?

Katrina Black ● 2050d14 Comments

John I think you mean White Lion.

Barbara Stevens ● 2045d

There was a plan for that block (by British Land, if I remember correctly) with amongst other things, a supposedly pleasant "square" at the back that would have been anything but pleasant to sit in,as it would also be the access point for service vehicles. But WBC threw it out as inappropriate but Johnson (then Mayor) called it in and allowed it - only for the owners to abandon the plan through lack of funds. It was no loss to Putney, but sadly the site is unchanged, apart from the new Lidl opening there.

Richard Carter ● 2045d

I've often thought that whole TK Maxx, Barclays etc block would be better demolished and leave that area as an open square. It would also ease the canyon effect of high buildings in the new development.

Katrina Black ● 2045d

I agree Roy, the buildings there at the moment look awful. It's a shame the equally unsightly building that TK Max is in wasn't redeveloped too.  I think Putney missed out there.  I look forward to the day when the White Swan hotel building is finally saved but I don't hold out much hope as I'm sure it will cost an absolute fortune to get the inside back to a good condition, it has had squatters for years.

John Geoffries ● 2045d

I'm all for it. That end of PHS has always been dead. The visual appeal of this project, and the visitors or business folk it might attract, would see an ugly conglomeration of buildings replaced with a more favourable first impression crossing into Putney over the bridge.

Roy Robart ● 2045d

Nick. It's interesting. I suppose when travelling on business I expect to be it in a hotel perhaps a step up from the Premier Inn chain but when travelling to amateur astronomy conferences at my own expense I've tended to stay at Premier Inns as they are reasonably priced and have a consistent standard of service and quality (and it's often where other BAA people stay). I'd note that a number of corporates are now looking at chains such as Premuer  Inn (and Travelodge who've upped their game in the last few years) to curtail travel expenses. One wonders how the increased use of Zoom, Teams, etc during the pandemic will affect the business travel market long term?

Michael Ixer ● 2047d

Hello Nick,Welcome back!I do not necessarily agree with you view that most people do not realise what is needed in developments of this kind because it is not altogether true.  There is a problem with pollution on PHS and a building of that height in the location proposed will make matters worse - mainly as it will stop proper air circulation.Is there a need for another hotel with no windows in Putney?The existing building is an eye sore, I agree, as is the building opposite.  But that does not necessarily mean that it is OK to replace an eye sore with another!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2047d

Micheal, yes, alot of my counterparts end up staying in that Premier Inn on Putney Bridge. Or they did when they would travel from Bristol and Cardiff etc to London for meetings and stay over the night. I always thought to myself how I'd like them to have a better option in Putney!

Nick Gulliford ● 2047d

Chris, you are a breathe of fresh air!! Unfortunately a lot of people don't realise that to make these developments stack up. You need an element of height, normally a residential element as well.Our local High Street is actually out performing many, many, others. I will go into detail in due course. This development is much needed to replace a current eye sore!

Nick Gulliford ● 2048d

It's interesting that someone thinks Putney needs another hotel. Presumably because it has good transport links for getting to central London and the City?   I wonder what's happened to the plans for converting the White Lion into a boutique hotel?

Michael Ixer ● 2049d

WBC twice threw out the proposal. The developers then appealed to whatever govt dept was responsible. The hearing took place at the Town Hall. I popped in briefly, but left because I couldn't hear the planning woman responsible, she spoke too softly, and I was too fed up to yell at her to speak up. Subsequently I received a letter explaining it on grounds of the need to increase housing.And now they're proposing that if you own a flat in a block, someone can come along and without so much as a by your leave, build two storeys on top.Heard Rocco Forte on Today this morning explaining how much his hotels are losing because of the pandemic.  Of course, his hotels are in a different league from something on PHS, and I assume the pandemic won't last for ever, but I've wondered from the day I viewed the developers' exhibition in St Mary's church how robustly they've done their sums. Asked the head boy a few questions about their targeted rate of return etc, proposed selling price of the flats, but got no answer.I recall that when, I think it was British Land, proposed an eight storey block on the other side of PHS and WBC repeatedly turned it down, they appealed to Johnson, then Mayor of London, who overruled WBC. So no surprise, now that he's atop the greasy pole.I don't think you can blame WBC for this. They did their best.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2049d

we all bemoan that the high street is dying.the key is to get greater footfall which will attract better retailers, restaurants and the like.this new hotel will help with that. I think its good news.

Chris Rumfitt ● 2049d

Sadly, the Planning Committee appears, at least to me, more interested in the funds the Council will receive from the development than the wellbeing of the Putney inhabitants.The scale of the building, even if it is comparable with the height of the building in the wharf, will be a nightmare as far as pollution on the HS is concerned.Very badly decided, WBC!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2050d

lets just keep making that canyoning effect even more powerful and increase the filthy air we breathe?

Matt Palmer ● 2050d