Earls Court land purchased in fresh boost for stalled 4,500-home scheme

Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) has completed a key land purchase to allow a fresh masterplan to be drawn up for the 40-acre west London brownfield site.

A joint venture between Delancey and Transport for London, the masterplan is expected to contain plans for 4,500 homes. This is as well as cultural venues and parks.

Key Part

The purchase of Lillie Bridge Depot and associated land will form a key part of the emerging plan.

Following the purchase, Lillie Bridge Depot is being leased back to TfL. It will remain an operational site supporting the London Underground network while TfL assess if functions will be relocated.

The huge site was originally being brought forward by TfL’s partner Capital & Counties Properties. However, the scheme stalled over plans to demolish two council estates. Consequently, these have since been handed back to Hammersmith and Fulham council.

Masterplan

Delancey replaced Capital & Counties and has a new masterplan expected to be submitted by October 2023.

Now construction is timetabled to start in 2025 and take 15 years, with plans to create up to 15,000 jobs.

Rob Heasman, CEO of The Earls Court Development Company, said: “The acquisition of Lillie Bridge Depot is a very important step forward for Earls Court.

“Unlocking this final piece of land will enable comprehensive development of the site.

“One of our key priorities is to open up the site to the community and celebrate the area’s legacy of world-class ingenuity.

“The acquisition of the depot land means we are one step closer to achieving this. We look forward to sharing our draft masterplan and the next phase of consultation this winter.”

According to the Delancey website ECDC will lead the delivery of a new approach to this critically important London location, which has the potential to be a world leading scheme, showcasing the best in sustainable, community focussed and environmentally enhanced design.

  

Neil Carron, Senior Property Development Manager at Transport for London, said:


“Lillie Bridge Depot is an important operational site supporting the London Underground network. However, given its strategic role in helping to deliver the development of the Earls Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area, we have recently completed a sale and leaseback option for the site with the Earls Court Partnership Limited.

“This leaseback will ensure continued TfL operations while we assess if and how the functions carried out there could viably be relocated as part of the redevelopment. Any decisions regarding the depot and its functions are being undertaken in close consultation with staff and trade unions.”