Planning Update - Sainsbury's Nine Elms

This weekend, Sainsbury's presented revised plans for their site on Wandsworth Road, following an initial consultation late last year, which we reported on at the time.

The plans remain broadly unchanged, with a new 80,000 sq. ft. store replacing the existing 45,000 sq. ft. outlet, with residential accommodation built above the store, including the construction of three residential towers. Shops and cafes would also be provided at a ground level through the creation of additional retail space.

Since the last consultation, more details regarding the development have been fleshed out, including the provision of the following more detailed artist's impressions of the proposals:

Artist's impression of the proposed Sainsbury's development, from Wandsworth road. Two of the three proposed towers are shown here. Copyright Sainsbury's.

Artist's impression of the development's private residential gardens, which would be built above the proposed store. Copyright Sainsbury's.

In addition, some further details have been confirmed regarding the development:

• It will include 750 1-3 bed homes, of which approximately 20% will be either socially rented or shared ownership properties (subject to negotiation).
• One of the residential blocks has been removed from the original designs, in order to have more open space as part of the development; landscaped rooftop gardens, including an amphitheatre-style events area will be built above the store, however these facilities will be accessible to residents only.
• The proposed gym facilities would likely be residents-only.
• An after-school learning centre will be provided as part of the development.
• The possibility of providing a space for a GP practice is under evaluation.
• Residential blocks built above the store will be set back from Wandsworth Road, to reduce the risk of the road being 'dominated' by the structure, and to reduce the risk of properties on the nearby Wyvil Estate being overshadowed.
• Negotiation with Network Rail to open up the railway arches, as part of a proposed new public square by the railway line is ongoing.
• A new thoroughfare to New Covent Garden Market will be developed, and the proposals still provide accommodation for the proposed Nine Elms Northern Line Station, which would help alleviate peak-hour congestion at Vauxhall Station.
• None of the existing 300 Sainsbury's employees who currently work at the store will lose their jobs as part of this redevelopment; an additional 300 jobs are expected to be created by the development upon completion.
• The car park for the new store will have the same capacity as the existing car park.
• A replacement for the existing petrol station is not part of the current design, however Sainsbury's are seeking to find an alternative location nearby.

The latest version of the plans can be viewed online at http://www.sainsburys-nineelms.co.uk/ - do also let us know what you think of the plans, via the comments box below.