The Newshound

Westminster council approves offices at the former 20th Century Fox home despite objections to an archway onto protected Soho Square

The archway entrance onto Soho Square, where the approved scheme will also deliver 150 long-stay cycle spaces and replace a walled service yard at Chapone Place with a landscaped public courtyard.
The archway entrance onto Soho Square, where the approved scheme will also deliver 150 long-stay cycle spaces and replace a walled service yard at Chapone Place with a landscaped public courtyard.

Westminster City Council approved the Royal London UK Real Estate Fund scheme at a planning sub-committee meeting on Tuesday October 27, covering four buildings including 31-32 Soho Square, 65-66 Frith Street, 22-25 Dean Street and 10 Chapone Place. Developer Alistair Martin of Simten Developments said the project is 'about giving a long, underused part of Soho a sustainable future.' The almost 9,000 square-metre scheme adds 2,477 square metres of net new internal space, including offices, retail and affordable community workspace.

Local group the Soho Society opposed the archway, citing the London Squares Preservation Act 1931, which limits the square to 'garden, rest and recreation use.'

Chair Tim Lord warned the archway would disrupt Soho Square's symmetry as well as its character as a space for 'respite.'

The scheme includes 150 long-stay cycle spaces and a new landscaped public courtyard replacing what had been a walled service yard at Chapone Place.

MoreEvening StandardMajor Soho development gets green lightBBC News - EnglandMajor Soho development gets green light from Westminster councilmylondon.newsMassive new development on Soho Square gets the green lightEstates GazetteRoyal London and Simten secure approval for Soho Square office redevelopment - Estates Gazette
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