Architect insists decision was mutual as developer ditches controversial towers
PLP has denied it was axed from the controversial Bishopsgate Goodsyard scheme on Shoreditch鈥檚 City fringe, saying it walked away because of opposition from the local authority.
The controversial 46-storey towers it designed have been dropped from the new scheme, it emerged yesterday, and the architect confirmed it is no longer involved in the 拢900m project.
But a spokesman for PLP insisted this was the practice鈥檚 own decision.
The client, a joint venture between Ballymore and Hammerson, has now instructed FaulknerBrowns, one of the other architects on the mothballed project, to come up with fresh ideas for the complex 4.4ha site. This spells the end of the masterplan conceived by Farrells in 2013.
The surviving design team includes Buckley Gray Yeoman which is working on the commercial buildings, as well as Chris Dyson and Spacehub.
In a statement, PLP said: 鈥淲e were commissioned to design three residential buildings in a masterplan by Terry Farrell. We left the project nearly two years ago, by mutual agreement, when it was clear to us that the commercial aspirations for the development ran counter to the vision of the local authority. We have not worked on the project since then.
鈥淲e very much hope any future scheme for the Goodsyard pays close attention to the views and aspirations of the local community and acknowledges the unique character of the surrounding area. It is a terrific site and deserves a great project.鈥�
As well as axing PLP鈥檚 towers it has slashed the number of flats from 1,300 to around 350. This will reduce the amount of 鈥渁ffordable鈥� housing it is required to provide. One of the criticisms of the previous scheme was that so few of the flats were affordable.
The developer refused to comment on what had triggered such a significant shift in the balance of resi to commercial, or what the ratio of uses would be in the new scheme.
It has been . It initially to design three towers, later with Farrells, PLP and FaulknerBrowns.
The scale of the latest scheme led to it being called in by Boris Johnson in 2015 when he was mayor of London. His advisers because it would have had 鈥渦nacceptable and avoidable significant negative impacts鈥�. Both Hackney and Tower Hamlets then said had the decision remained in their hands.
to warn it would trigger 鈥渋mmoral and wrong鈥� social expulsion and make Hackney look like Manhattan.
When Sadiq Khan then appointed a key opponent, Hackney鈥檚 mayor Jules Pipe, as his planning chief in July 2016, the developer announced it was going to subject the scheme to a year-long redesign.
It was the second time protestors had forced the developer back to the drawing board, after a .
In its half-year accounts published in July 2016, Ballymore said the earliest work could start on site was 2017. Now, nearly three-quarters of the way through 2018, it is gearing up for a fresh attempt at developing the site which straddles seven rail lines, a Tube line and a BT service tunnel and includes a listed viaduct.
FaulknerBrowns partner Paul Rigby said: 鈥淲e are extremely pleased to be working with Hammerson, Ballymore and the teams at the GLA to explore a number of exciting options for the Bishopsgate Goodsyard site.
鈥淭hrough our creative collaboration with BuckleyGrayYeoman, Chris Dyson and Spacehub we look forward to delivering a destination of great value to Shoreditch and the surrounding areas.鈥�
The developer said: 鈥淲e continue to have constructive conversations with the teams at the GLA and will be continuing our consultation with the local community over the coming months.鈥�
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