New housing strategies from TfL at Future Cities Forum
(Above) Looking north from Thurloe Street by South Kensington station to V&A Museum
Tfl will be at our June forum to speak about its planning and housing developments in London. Rosanna Sterry is an experienced planner with TfL, working alongside London boroughs on planning applications to create new homes from often challenging sites around stations and tube lines.
Rosanna commented: 'To councils and local authorities the property development side of TfL can feel like a public / private hybrid. We are often trying to come up with a scheme which is borderline in viability terms, and it can be difficult for local authorities who may be used a level of detail in the 'pre-app' part of the process which we simply don't have time for. However, we are on track to have 10,000 new homes started by March 2021.'
Meanwhile, TfL has just launched its new vision to revitalise South Kensington Tube station, enhancing the historic surrounding space with new homes, shops and work spaces.
Proposals provide a range of improvements, including step-free access, as well as new homes and opportunities for upgraded retail and commercial space, generating vital revenue to reinvest in the transport network.
Forty additional homes, a new range of shops, restaurants and work spaces and a step-free station access to the ticket hall and District and Circle line platforms via a new entrance on Thurloe Street. The proposals designed by Stirling Prize-winning architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, aim to sensitively repair and enhance the Grade-ll listed station and the surrounding area's historic streets. The station is the gateway to London's internationally renowned museum and cultural quarter.
New homes will be built including along the station side of Pelham Street, reinstating the historic row of buildings that existed there previously as well as homes behind the historic Regency façade, replacing the current apartments. The proposals also include providing new homes in Thurloe Square to reinstate housing where the square connects with Pelham Place, which were removed during the construction of the railway. There will also be new retail opportunities with the potential for independent outlets and a focus on health and well-being.
TfL has also announced that the world's first hydrogen double-decker buses will be introduced on three London bus routes next year, helping tackle the capital's air quality crisis. Transport for London (TfL) has today ordered 20 of these green buses - which produce no pollution from their exhausts - as part of its drive to make London's transport zero-emission. it follows the introduction of the world's first Ultra Low Emission Zone last month. TfL is investing £12 million in the new buses and the fuelling infrastructure. More than £5 million of funding is being provided by European bodies and £1 million form the Office of Low Emission Vehicles.
Aerial view looking south east over South Kensington station, showing development sites