Hospital redevelopment at Ravenscourt Park Hospital, Hammersmith, London W6

What was proposed

The scheme would refurbish and extend the former hospital, replace Block E, provide 140 homes, a 65-bed care home and community space.

“The proposed development comprises the part-demolition, extension, alteration, and change of use of the former Royal Masonic Hospital site, a Grade II* listed building, located within the Ravenscourt and Starch Green Conservation Area.”

“The development would deliver 140 new residential units, including affordable housing, and 1,171 sqm of flexible community and cultural floorspace within Block A. The community use would provide publicly accessible spaces for hire, including a café and multipurpose rooms, supporting local arts and cultural activities. The care home in Block F would provide elderly accommodation (care home) with dedicated communal and staff facilities.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant Grade II* hospital lies beside Ravenscourt Park in a conservation area, surrounded mainly by residential buildings and listed heritage assets.

“The application site comprises the former Royal Masonic Hospital, a Grade II* listed building located adjacent to Ravenscourt Park within the Ravenscourt and Starch Green Conservation Area. The site has remained vacant since 2006 and is currently on Historic England’s Buildings at Risk Register.”

“Former Royal Masonic Hospital is a Grade II* listed building, constructed in the early 1930s, in the Art Deco style. The listed buildings include four principal blocks (A–D), with Block A fronting Ravenscourt Park and serving as the original administrative entrance. The site also includes Block E, a later addition from 1978, which is not listed and is proposed for demolition.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions sought hospital refurbishment and extensions, but the site remained vacant after the hospital use ended in 2006.

“The former Royal Masonic Hospital site has a long and complex planning history, with over 60 planning and listed building applications recorded. The most significant recent planning activity began in 2007, when applications (ref. 2007/04211/FUL and 2007/04212/LBC) were approved for the refurbishment and extension of the hospital, including internal alterations, a subterranean facility, and new plant and access structures.”

“Earlier planning history includes a 1990 approval (ref. 1989/01990/FUL and 1989/01991/LBC) for a first-floor extension to provide an intensive care unit, and a 2000 listed building consent (ref. 2000/02454/LBC) for reinstating the façade following demolition of a link bridge. A 1993 application (ref. 1993/01266/FUL) for conversion to sheltered accommodation was withdrawn in 1996.”

Officer report

What people said

Residents and organisations objected to scale, heritage harm, loss of trees and green space, privacy, traffic, flooding and construction effects; others supported reuse.

“Scale, Massing, and Design • Height and massing of new Blocks E and F is overbearing, out of scale, and incompatible with the conservation area. • Height should be reduced by at least one storey. • Modernist design clashes with the historic and classical architecture of surrounding buildings. • Development would harm views from Ravenscourt Park and destroy the skyline.”

“Environmental and Ecological Concerns • Removal of mature trees and building on green space. • Protect chestnut trees and other valuable species. • Improvements to the landscaping and ecological design, including introduction of wildlife-friendly features.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative of the residents’ association spoke against the application, and a representative of the applicant spoke in support.

Committee debate and decision

Members required the construction and demolition logistics plans to return to committee, then unanimously approved the application subject to that requirement.

“The Committee voted on the officer recommendations for approval, subject to the request for the construction logistics plan and the demolition logistics plan to be referred back to Committee, and as amended by the Addendum as follows:”

“Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. That the Director of Planning and Property be authorised to grant permission subject to the conditions listed in the report as varied by the Addendum and subject to the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement in accordance with 3 below and subject to the approval of the construction…”

Minutes