News from Caroline Russell: Coup for Earls Court means Mayor must look again at alternative plan

The Mayor must fulfil his promise to put local people front and centre of new plans for the redevelopment of Earls Court, demands Caroline Russell, now that the developers have been forced to go back to the drawing board.

Caroline previously raised concerns about small businesses being swept aside and local people ignored in the development but the Mayor said his hands were tied unless there was a change to the master plan application. [1] [2]



Now that the developers, CapCo, will revise their proposals the Mayor is able to look at the alternative plan developed by residents which Caroline hosted the launch of in City Hall this summer. [3]



Caroline Russell AM says:

Local businesses and people were shunted aside by the proposed development and the area has already suffered from losing the Earl’s Court exhibition centre.



There is a big hole in the ground where it once stood but there is still huge potential at the site. The Mayor has a chance to undo some of the previous Mayor’s mistakes and put residents and existing businesses at the heart of the area, not force them to the outskirts or push them out altogether.



Residents are the experts in how their area operates and what it needs and the work by the Earl’s Court campaigners has been phenomenal – attested to by their report and alternative plan for the site.



The Mayor must now look at their vibrant alternative plan and reassess the new housing plan to make sure homes that Londoners can actually afford make up a decent proportion of what will be built.



I have written to the Mayor to remind him of the promise he made to me to work with campaigners on any new master plan. I am seeking a meeting with him at the earliest opportunity.”