Lengthy debate resulted in close vote and fury from the public gallery


Artist's impression

There was a palpable sense of fury from a packed public gallery after the Wandsworth Council Planning Committee approved Firstplan's application on behalf of Blackrock to construct a Palmhouse restaurant venue on the roof of the Putney Exchange.

The debate lasted for one and a half hours as gradually the Councillors who sit on the Committee realised that they had essentially been boxed into a corner. The Applicant had made an application for a Restaurant Venue with ancillary bar (A3) but the resulting discussion centred around whether this really was a drinking venue masquerading as a restaurant. Certainly attendees from the general public seemed to think so and when the Council's Senior Planning Officer (whose department supported the application), tried to assert it was so, howls of laughter erupted from public gallery.

The applicants, had on a previous occasion applied for a Drinking Venue (A4) but withdrew their application, when they knew it would not pass, due to some 700 objections from local residents.

Incipio asserted, they had listened to local concerns and had re-designed the venue to be a better fit with the local environment but which resulted in a re-classification of the application from A4 to A3. Despite serious misgivings of some of the Councillors over whether the re-classification was warranted they had little choice but to consider the application as A3.

Other significant issues were discussed in detail such as dispersal of guests, loss of parking, anti-social behaviour and noise control. It was certainly widely felt during the discussion, that not enough information had been provided on all these issue to satisfy the majority of Councillors. Expression was also given on whether a refusal of the application would precipitate a costly appeal process by the applicants and even whether the previous concerns were legitimate grounds for refusal.

Given the contentious nature and lack of clarity of all of these issues the Chair felt there were grounds for refusal. He then moved the issue to vote which was lost 6-4 and application passed.

This could of been a moment for some Councillors to take a stand to reflect the public mood and legitimate concerns of those residents of Putney whom objected to application but instead they choose an easier path that will have a resounding affect for the residents of Putney. As I left, I heard concerned Thamesfield Residents vowing to fight on and expressing their concerns to Thamesfield Councillors John Locke and Rosemary Torrington, the latter whom addressed the Planning Committee in an opening statement urging a refusal.



The three Thamesfield Councillors response to the decision was: "We were very disappointed by last night’s approval of the Palmhouse application. All three of us have worked hard with residents and the local MP, Justine Greening, to oppose this controversial application for the rooftop of Putney Exchange. We all want to support the High Street and local business but it is clear that concerns about access, noise, loss of parking spaces, and the scale of these proposals remain as Cllr Rosemary Torrington made clear in her speech to the Committee.

"Ultimately the finely balanced debate focused on whether Incipio’s plans were for a restaurant (A3 use) or as a bar (A4). Our view is that the Planning Committee was very clear that in granting permission it was doing so for A3 restaurant use and would expect the conditions including the closing and dispersal times to be strictly enforced.

"Based on this and the strength of local concerns we urge Incipio to consider their next steps very carefully. It simply won’t work for them to adopt the same business plan and marketing strategy that they use for their other venues in Paddington and Olympia at this sensitive site in Putney. Incipio need to ensure that this is truly a restaurant focussed venue otherwise they risk a failed venture which helps no one. We shall continue our work to make this point to them”.

A spokesperson for the newly formed Putney Residents Action Group told this website, "Obviously we are exceptionally disappointed in the decision by Wandsworth Council last night. It was an extremely close vote, only passing by one vote. We have been in contact with our legal team this morning, and are currently discussing a judicial review and legal options available to us - this fight is by no means over".



Putney MP Justine Greening has also commented on her disapointment that the application was passed telling this website that she was: "Very disappointed with this decision which totally goes against residents concerns".

This website has asked for a response from Incipio to last night's decision.

Paul Benton

April 26, 2019