Architectural firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSH+P) have been selected to draw up plans for a mixed-use scheme in Hammersmith, West London.

Proposals include building a new new cinema, redeveloping Hammersmith Town Hall and regenerating the surrounding area of King Street.

RSH+P have been commissioned to draw up designs for a new scheme after the council ended its agreement with the previous developers due to their proposals no longer being financially viable. The council's new development partner is A2 Dominion.

Council Leader Stephen Cowan said: "We ended the council's agreement with the developers of the previous scheme after they told us that their proposals were not financially viable because of changes in market conditions.


"The developers told us this only after they had begun to demolish the cinema. Having considered their alternative proposals, we decided it was in the best interests of our residents to take a different path."

Features of the new scheme will include;

• A modern new cinema

• At least 50% genuinely-affordable housing for local residents

• Demolishing the Town Hall extension

• A new public space in front of a restored Town Hall

• Staying within the massing and height of the former scheme

• New ;affordable;, flexible office space for business start-ups

• A new arts quarter alongside new cafes, shops and restaurants

• Improved green spaces to help link King Street to the riverside

• Inclusive design to ensure disability access

• Measures to green the environment and minimise the buildings' carbon footprint.

Two public consultations on the proposals were held at Hammersmith Town Hall over the weekend, with further preliminary consultations planned for early December.

The council said it hopes to submit a planning application early in the new year and will then begin the formal planning process. If approved, construction work could then start in summer 2018.

Image: Artist's impression of the Hammersmith Town Hall re-development.

(LM/MH)