Ballymore and Sainsbury’s have submitted a planning application for a major new canalside neighbourhood on a 19-acre brownfield site in Ladbroke Grove, London.
The proposed development comprises 2,519 new homes – at least 500 of which will be affordable – two parks, a local high street offering more than 90,000 sq ft of shops, cafes and restaurants and a new 130,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket.
The masterplan for the site, which borders the Grand Union Canal to the north and railway tracks to the south, has been designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects in consultation with the local community, local councillors, planning officers and the GLA.
John Mulryan, group managing director of Ballymore, said: “Kensal Canalside is one of the last remaining major brownfield sites to be developed in London and the largest in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The scale and location of the site – in one of London’s 48 Opportunity Areas – presents a real opportunity to create a thoughtfully designed, accessible and sustainable canalside neighbourhood with strong transport links.
“There are over 3,000 households on RBKC’s housing waiting list. Our proposals will make a positive and significant contribution towards reducing that figure. Kensal Canalside will provide a significant number of much-needed homes, plus a variety of retail spaces as well as open green spaces and a community leisure and amenity space that our residents and the local people can enjoy.”
Patrick Dunne, group property and procurement director at Sainsbury’s, added: “The development of the Kensal Canalside Opportunity Area will revitalise a key brownfield site in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, delivering places for people to live, work, shop and relax, and providing a significant boost to the local economy.
“The plans will allow us to deliver a brand-new, state-of-the-art Sainsbury’s supermarket for the local community to enjoy, and we’re proud that we are providing continuity to our customers by keeping our existing store open until the new one arrives. The larger, more modern and more spacious superstore will stock a wider range of our great value, high-quality food and non-food products and will build on our track record of offering fantastic service to our customers in Ladbroke Grove.”
Ben Sykes, partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, said: “The masterplan is inspired by its characterful setting, where Ladbroke Grove meets the sweeping Grand Union Canal and the open space at Kensal Green. In response, our design has been built around public spaces, including a restored canal basin, play spaces and adding gardens and groves to the borough, to create a series of smaller neighbourhoods with a rich mix of uses and a strong sense of personality and place.
“We are delighted to see the proposals submitted, after working with local residents, the local council, Ballymore, Sainsbury’s and the entire project team for almost four years, to research, design and develop the masterplan.”
If the planning application is successful, construction will commence on site in 2025, with the first new homes delivered in 2030, along with the new Sainsbury’s store and the neighbourhood centre around the restored canal basin.
