Ravenscourt Square Residents Fight Hospital Traffic Plans
'Peaceful community under threat' from Royal Masonic development
The Royal Masonic Hospital in Ravenscourt Park
February 24, 2024
Residents of Ravenscourt Square are fighting plans by a developer to use their street as the main access route for trucks and cars - and are asking neighbours in Hammersmith to provide their support.
The semi-private square runs south of Goldhawk Road, on the west side of Ravenscourt Park and the Royal Masonic Hospital.
The 1930s red brick Grade II listed hospital has been empty since 2002, but now developer Telereal Trillium has submitted plans to Hammersmith & Fulham Council to bring it back to life with a huge development creating a new care home, hundreds of apartments and community space in six separate blocks.
The planning application is as follows:
Part demolition, part extension and alteration of the existing buildings and structures, change of use of the existing buildings and the erection of a new building including provision of a basement, to provide residential units (Use Class C3) and associated ancillary communal floorspace, a Care Home (Use Class C2) and flexible non-residential floorspace (Classes E, F1 and F2), together with associated roof top installations and structures, private and communal amenity space, landscaping, access, refuse storage, parking and associated works. | Ravenscourt Park Hospital Ravenscourt Park London W6 0TU.
In documents supporting the application, Telereal Trillium acknowledges that Ravenscourt Square will be used as the main access to the development, but says: “ Vehicular movements will be arranged to prevent disruption to the residents. Where this is not possible traffic movements will be controlled and limited to non-sensitive periods (i.e. not during school runs).”
The developer also proposes reintroduction of security gates on Ravenscourt Square once the development is complete, with residents’ access controlled by electronic access fobs and managed by a concierge.
Layout of road access to site from planning documents
Residents of the square, one of Hammersmith’s most exclusive areas where recent house sales achieved prices above £2 million, emphasise that they are not opposed to the development itself, but say plans to use Ravenscourt Square for access and parking pose a threat to their peaceful community, and to local families using the entrance to Ravenscourt Park within the square.
They are asking neighbours in Hammersmith to sign a petition in which they say:
“We are residents of Hammersmith and Fulham, London, and like many others in our community, our children use Ravenscourt Square to access the local park and schools, either walking or cycling. In close proximity to this area is also a home for blind individuals.
“ Our peaceful community is under threat due to plans for the Ravenscourt Park hospital development which proposes using Ravenscourt Square as the main access point for trucks, cars and deliveries.
“ This development plan poses significant safety risks. Increased traffic could endanger our children who frequently cross these streets on their way to school or playtime at the park. Moreover, it could disrupt the lives of blind residents who rely heavily on familiar environments and consistent traffic patterns.
“ According to Transport for London statistics, pedestrian accidents rise by 24% when there's an increase in vehicular traffic (source: TfL). This statistic alone should give us pause about introducing more vehicles into an area heavily populated by vulnerable pedestrians - our children and visually impaired neighbours.
“ We urge local authorities to reconsider this aspect of the development plan. There are alternative solutions for commercial deliveries and construction lorries that can accommodate both the developers' needs and maintain safety standards within our community.
“ Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving safe spaces within Hammersmith for all its residents – especially those most vulnerable among us.”
An aerial view of the site. Picture: Savills
Comments on Telereal Trillium’s plans can also be made on the council website, where the application and supporting documents can be viewed in full using the reference 2023/03129/FUL.
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