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| Qatar's new London venture hit by bitter planning row | Qatar's new London venture hit by bitter planning row |
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| The Qatari royal family risks becoming embroiled in a bitter row between a developer and residents in Lambeth, south London, over plans to turn the former headquarters of the London Fire Brigade on the capital's South Bank into luxury housing. | The Qatari royal family risks becoming embroiled in a bitter row between a developer and residents in Lambeth, south London, over plans to turn the former headquarters of the London Fire Brigade on the capital's South Bank into luxury housing. |
| The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) left the former fire brigade HQ at 8 Albert Embankment in 2008 and, in conjunction with Native Land – in which the Qatari investors hold a 45% stake – applied for planning permission to convert the site. | The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) left the former fire brigade HQ at 8 Albert Embankment in 2008 and, in conjunction with Native Land – in which the Qatari investors hold a 45% stake – applied for planning permission to convert the site. |
| The proposed development of 265 apartments was blocked by Lambeth's planning committee after it emerged that only 7% of the site would be devoted to social housing. Lambeth has a policy of demanding that 40% of any development is given over to affordable housing. | The proposed development of 265 apartments was blocked by Lambeth's planning committee after it emerged that only 7% of the site would be devoted to social housing. Lambeth has a policy of demanding that 40% of any development is given over to affordable housing. |
| The old fire brigade headquarters would form part of a development of a 2.5-acre site that would comprise a total of 300,000 sq ft of residential and commercial space in seven buildings. The development's website explains that it "will offer residents a variety of amenities including a gym, tennis court, extensive roof gardens, a club room, bar and billiards rooms, as well as concierge". | The old fire brigade headquarters would form part of a development of a 2.5-acre site that would comprise a total of 300,000 sq ft of residential and commercial space in seven buildings. The development's website explains that it "will offer residents a variety of amenities including a gym, tennis court, extensive roof gardens, a club room, bar and billiards rooms, as well as concierge". |
| The committee's decision to reject the plan is now the subject of a bitterly fought appeal launched by Native Land. | The committee's decision to reject the plan is now the subject of a bitterly fought appeal launched by Native Land. |
| If the project does obtain a final go-ahead, it will become the latest Qatari-backed high-profile development in the capital, following the Shard and the proposed £3bn redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks. The Embankment development is provoking strong feelings among local people at a time when there is a housing crisis in the capital and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is calling for more public sector land to build affordable homes. | If the project does obtain a final go-ahead, it will become the latest Qatari-backed high-profile development in the capital, following the Shard and the proposed £3bn redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks. The Embankment development is provoking strong feelings among local people at a time when there is a housing crisis in the capital and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is calling for more public sector land to build affordable homes. |
| In its submission to the appeal, the local Waterloo Community Development Action Group claims: "When these flats come to be sold, it is most likely that they will be bought as investment properties by foreign owners who have little intention of occupying them." The group argues that local people "want homes to be built which will allow their children to stay within the area They do not want land for local jobs to be taken away and used for investment products on the growing market of empty luxury homes.". | In its submission to the appeal, the local Waterloo Community Development Action Group claims: "When these flats come to be sold, it is most likely that they will be bought as investment properties by foreign owners who have little intention of occupying them." The group argues that local people "want homes to be built which will allow their children to stay within the area They do not want land for local jobs to be taken away and used for investment products on the growing market of empty luxury homes.". |
| Last year Brian Coleman, who was then head of the LFEPA, branded Lambeth's rejection of the plan as "irresponsible", pointing out that the council had "rejected the professional advice of their own officers". He said that the deal would "realise funds to provide much-needed investment by this authority for the benefit of all Londoners". | Last year Brian Coleman, who was then head of the LFEPA, branded Lambeth's rejection of the plan as "irresponsible", pointing out that the council had "rejected the professional advice of their own officers". He said that the deal would "realise funds to provide much-needed investment by this authority for the benefit of all Londoners". |
| Under the terms of the deal, the LFEPA will receive £41m. However, it acknowledges in its minutes that, "depending on the finalised scheme, then the price payable to the authority may be increased by a development profit-share upon the final selling price of the development if this exceeds the agreed contractual limits". The deal also includes the construction of a new fire station at a cost of around £5m. | Under the terms of the deal, the LFEPA will receive £41m. However, it acknowledges in its minutes that, "depending on the finalised scheme, then the price payable to the authority may be increased by a development profit-share upon the final selling price of the development if this exceeds the agreed contractual limits". The deal also includes the construction of a new fire station at a cost of around £5m. |
| Native Land claims that devoting more than 7% of the development to social housing would make it economically unviable because of additional costs, such as the refurbishment of the fire station on the site and renovation of the Grade II-listed buildings. | Native Land claims that devoting more than 7% of the development to social housing would make it economically unviable because of additional costs, such as the refurbishment of the fire station on the site and renovation of the Grade II-listed buildings. |
| Questions have also been asked about the opaque nature of the companies involved in the deal. Native Land has set up a specialist partnership called Albert Embankment LLP to oversee the development. Its shareholders include Embankment Investments, based in the British Virgin Islands, and Cudicini in the Isle of Man. | Questions have also been asked about the opaque nature of the companies involved in the deal. Native Land has set up a specialist partnership called Albert Embankment LLP to oversee the development. Its shareholders include Embankment Investments, based in the British Virgin Islands, and Cudicini in the Isle of Man. |
| Native Land did not respond to requests for comment. However, on its website the company's chief executive, Alasdair Nicholls, stressed that the development had been "designed with a careful understanding of the site context" and "would be a vibrant new addition to London's South Bank". | Native Land did not respond to requests for comment. However, on its website the company's chief executive, Alasdair Nicholls, stressed that the development had been "designed with a careful understanding of the site context" and "would be a vibrant new addition to London's South Bank". |
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