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Shell - planning permission refused

from Cathy (cathyvpreece@aol.com)

Shell shock for oil giant

Dec 17 2002
By Oscar Mortali

South London Press

OIL giant Shell is reeling after £160million plans to change the face of the South Bank were dramatically snubbed.

In one of London's biggest planning decisions this year, Lambeth council refused Shell permission to build Belvedere Court - a huge office block and retail development under the shadow of the London Eye.

Determined campaigners - who have fought tooth and nail to preserve Waterloo's few remaining open spaces - are overjoyed.

County Hall resident Marina Thaine said: "We are very pleased but it is a bitter-sweet victory.

"This application should never have got this far because it is so wrong for the area."

Shell is now considering an appeal to the Secretary of State and a public inquiry could follow over what has been dubbed Lambeth's "biggest planning decision in the past decade".

Thursday's planning meeting was considered so important the local authority took the unusual step of holding it near Waterloo station, instead of the Town Hall.

There was standing room only as objectors queued to have their say.

Cheers rang out when the controversial Belvedere Court planning application was refused on four grounds.

These were: concerns over the loss of the podium site as open space; the effect on trade in nearby Lower Marsh Street; the height, bulk and mass of the proposed office development; and concerns about the office building over-looking the north block of County Hall.

When the we interviewed Shell directors and planners this year, the company insisted the parade of 20 to 25 shops and mini-supermarket would not have a negative effect on established traders in Lower Marsh Street.

The company also insisted the podium site - currently popular with skateboarders - would be transformed into 'something better' and all planning guidelines had been met.

The joint application - by Shell and Bluewater developers Lendlease - was initially deferred on September 10 for further analysis.

Reacting to Thursday night's meeting, a Shell spokeswoman said the company was 'surprised and disappointed' with Lambeth's decision.

She added: "We believe Belvedere Court is an integral part of developing the South Bank."

The spokeswoman added Shell was currently 'reviewing' whether to appeal to the Secretary of State.

* What do you think about Shell losing?
Should the company go to appeal? Should Lambeth spend money fighting it?

Write to the Letters Page, South London Press, 2-4 Leigham Court Road, London SW16 2PD or email newsdesk@slp.co.uk

(posted 7770 days ago)

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