Market Businesses sacrificed for affordable homes?
The Shepherd’s Bush Market community have suffered rough times since the developer / landlord – Orion Shepherd’s Bush (Market) Ltd. (now instructed by U+I Group Plc.) acquired the stewardship of Shepherd’s Bush Market in February 2014. However, due to the magnificent support across the whole of the Country from those who love the 105 year old linear Market, the Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association were able to fight for the traders’ livelihoods in 2016, in the Court of Appeal, and consequently succeeded in protecting the market traders and fighting the developer’s ambitions to remove the market businesses from the market land.
Details of the Court Of Appeal’s ruling may be found via: -
Court of Appeal Ruling on 18th March 2016: -
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gu67tnbfpm0bev0/Horada v SSCLG Ruling 18.03.2016.pdf?dl=0
Court of Appeal Ruling on 22nd July 2016:- https://www.dropbox.com/s/eiyk0ix4k6u3zuf/Horada%20v%20SSCLG%20Ruling%2022.07.2016.pdf?dl=0
The Shepherd’s Bush Market community are now stunned to discover that the Hammersmith & Fulham Council are considering a report, which was placed on the Council’s website on 19thJune 2019, and will be considered by the Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet on 1st July 2019.
The report may be viewed via: -
http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/documents/s108854/Open%20Report.pdf
The report shockingly seems to propose for the Hammersmith & Fulham Council to partner up with the developer, on a joint venture, to remove 20 market units for the construction of 62 homes of which a minimum of 50% will be affordable homes.
Since the involvement of the developer in 2014, the number of existing market retail businesses has fallen, and the developer’s management of the market has caused difficulties and casualties to the traders’ livelihoods, however it has always been thought that the Labour Hammersmith & Fulham Council were allies of the market traders and would protect the unique multicultural and ethnically diverse market.
The loss of more market business is viewed as merely the tip of this threatening iceberg, as the further loss of more businesses and traders, along with inevitable disruption and disturbance which may occur, will have repercussions on the whole of the market community for a number of further years.
The building of affordable homes does not justify the sacrifice of long standing market businesses.
It is disgraceful that this threat of injustice continues to strike again and again at small independent businesses.
Unfortunately it does not merely take ‘being right’, to encouraging the powers that be, to do ‘what is right’! More often than not, it requires courage and great conviction, from many extraordinarily individuals, to explain common sense and show what is right, rather than what may be profitable.
It is hoped that Councillor Stephen Cowan, who is the leader of the Hammersmith & Fulham Councilwill do what is right, and will encourage the Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet to protect the market businesses.
Details of Councillor Stephen Cowan may be found via: - http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=133
Details of the other Councillors on the Cabinet may be found via: -
http://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=116
We hope that the conviction and words of many will encourage Councillor Stephen Cowan and his Councillors to listen and hear what is being said.
The Shepherd’s Bush Market Tenants’ Association encourage all throughout the Country to send their letters of objection to Councillor Stephen Cowan before Friday 28th June 2019.
Many thanks for your support.