Susanna Gillman,
PlanningResource,
23 April 2009
Queen's Market: plans include 350 homes
Plans for a controversial market regeneration scheme in east London were approved last night after five years of consultation with local traders and residents.
Councillors at the London Borough of Newham backed developer St Modwen’s proposals to redevelop Queens Market, following a positive recommendation from planning officers.
The scheme will deliver a new market hall, including 164 market stalls and 6,374m2 of shop units and provide 350 homes, a new civic building and library.
But despite St Modwen already revising the scheme and dropping previous plans containing an ASDA supermarket, it is continuing to attract fierce local opposition.
Opponent Friends of Queens Market said it still had concerns over the design and the scheme’s impact on the market.
A spokeswoman said the decision was a blow to democracy after 2,600 people had objected including 200 staging a demonstration march.
The group’s solicitors are looking at whether to seek a judicial review. It is also waiting to see what London mayor Boris Johnson’s stance is on the application, which will be referred to him for a final decision shortly.
But St Modwen argues that it has worked closely with local trader organisations, the National Market Traders’ Federation and the Queens Market Traders’ Association to ensure that the proposals retain the market’s strong international influence and the ability of its traders to offer affordable fresh food produce and other goods.
The redevelopment will provide more pitches for market traders than at present and a much-improved trading environment, it added.
Development director Nick Kay said: "The consent ensures that existing traders have the opportunity to continue in the new market, and St. Modwen looks forward to continuing to support traders, the Market and Green Street to make it even more of a visitor destination in the future."
susanna.gillman@haymarket.com
