Hammersmith Palais plans thrown out

But councillors at a planning meeting last week (27) voted unanimously against the scheme following objections from several groups concerned about its impact on the area.

Alex Chalk, chair of Hammersmith and Fulham Council's planning committee, said: "We could never have allowed this massive building, which was completely out of character and not in keeping with other buildings in the area, to be dumped in the heart of Hammersmith.

"The application did not meet planning requirements and was unacceptable across the board. There were issues with many aspects of the plans - the design was bulky and the building too high, the residential nature of the scheme would have posed problems with transport, and so many people living in such a small space would inevitably lead to difficulties."

The Hammersmith Society claimed the block would 'excessively dominate its surroundings', and the Hammersmith and Fulham Historic Buildings Group and the Greater London Authority also objected along with 20 residents.

Permission was originally granted to redevelop the site into a six-storey scheme in 2002, and an extension was granted allowing work to start up until Saturday (7), when it expires.

The Gazette contacted London and Regional, who declined to comment on their plans.

The Palais de Danse, as it was originally called, opened in 1919 to host ballroom dancing and dance bands, and remained a popular venue until its closure in April 2007. It was immortalised by The Clash in 1978 with the song '(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais'.