King’s College London has withdrawn their plans to demolish 154-158 and the façade at 152-153 Strand.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage writes:
SAVE is delighted with this news and salutes King’s decision. We hope this action will lead to a happy outcome for the site and all involved.
In a letter to students and staff Principal of King’s Professor Edward Byrne, said: ‘I would like to inform you that we have decided to withdraw our application for planning consent for our Strand Campus. Part of the proposed redevelopment, which included the Strand façades, has been the subject of controversy over recent months. However, we recognise the groundswell of opinion and are sensitive to the heritage values of our city. As a result we have today withdrawn our plans and will consider alternative options.’
SAVE is working with architect John Burrell on alternative drawings to show ways in which 152-158 Strand can be incorporated into the campus masterplan in a sensitive and imaginative way. These alternatives would ensure that the historic buildings and environment are preserved and enhanced, whilst still providing King’s with required expansion of academic space.
Today’s news comes after the planning application was called in on the 9th June for a public inquiry by Secretary of State Greg Clark. A sustained campaign led by SAVE and supported by many others, including the Victorian Society, the Ancient Monument Society, and LAMAS, saw over 10,000 members of the public sign a petition calling for the buildings to be saved.
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition and who wrote letters to the Secretary of State. This campaign is a real showing of what people power can achieve.
Clem Cecil, SAVE Director said: ‘SAVE salutes King’s decision to withdraw their application for the demolition of the Strand buildings following a strong public campaign led by SAVE. This is fantastic news for all those who love London. SAVE is working on a scheme for the site with an architect to show how with an imaginative and sensitive design approach these buildings can be brought back into use and the concerns raised by King’s about any challenges these buildings may present, can be resolved.’
‘The overwhelming support for our campaign by the general public indicated the strength of feeling people have for London’s historic streetscape. This is London’s main ceremonial route from Westminster to St. Paul’s – a group of these buildings have already been lost in the 1960s to make way for the King’s College brutalist building, it is vital that no more are lost. These are quintessentially London buildings if great character and charm that stand on their original, narrow medieval plots.’
