Hines’ plans for what it calls a “world-class, highly sustainable and vibrant” mixed-use development in London’s Soho have been rejected by Westminster City Council.
The council’s planning committee went against the officer’s recommendation for approval and refused the plans for 2-4 Dean Street and 7 Soho Square, W1, in a 4-2 vote based on design elements including height, bulk and mass, and harm caused to Soho Square.
The project would have seen the existing building demolished, with the Tesco Express-anchored office block replaced with a new development comprising 78,000 sq ft of offices across seven upper floors, as well as shops and a reimagined “Soho Bazaar” public space.
The council’s officer had recommended the scheme for approval on the condition that obligations were met including making the Bazaar available for use by local groups at a peppercorn rate for a minimum of 20 four-hour sessions per year and the provision of concession stands made available at a peppercorn rate for independent Soho businesses up to 50 times per year.
The planning statement for the scheme noted that local residents were keen for Tesco to remain at the site. However, the supermarket group has taken a lease at the nearby 264-267 Tottenham Court Road. The Soho Society has objected to the scheme because of the loss of the supermarket.
A spokesperson for Hines said: “We are naturally disappointed by the committee’s decision not to grant consent for our plans for Soho Square, which were positively supported by officers, particularly for our sustainability approach. We are now taking into account the feedback from the committee and options for the project and will keep officers, members and the community updated on our plans.”
Hines’ pan-European core fund acquired the site from Landsec for £78m in 2020.
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