A mix of privately-rented houses and flats will be built by Grainger plc, in collaboration with the Borough Council, on the school car park at the corner of Hortensia Road and King’s Road. A unit of 435sqm (4,700 sqft) of shops or offices will front the King’s Road. The development will be partly five and partly seven storeys in height.
This scheme is part of a package of two properties – the other being Young Street car park in Kensington – that the Council is selling on a 125-year lease, with a share in the rental growth to generate future income for the Council.
While the Society fears that the Council may be making a mistake in allowing yet more education land to go to housing, the mix of 25 small flats and 6 houses, of which 12 would be affordable, may be welcome. All will be rented and managed by Grainger, a private company that owns or manages 35,000 homes in Britain and Germany.
Much time and effort has been devoted by Grainger’s architects (Assael) to the massing, colour and details of the row of houses and the two blocks of flats. Their aim was to fit in with their surroundings and be modern. The difference between their approach and that of Madigan Browne at the Old Postal Sorting office is worth debating. Grainger has also taken public consultation seriously, and has responded to feedback. http://www.hortensiaroadsouth.co.uk/
