Got this email from GARA - the residents group for Gondar Gardens:
Linden Wates [the developer that's been submitting plans for the reservoir site for the past few years] has sold the Gondar Gardens reservoir site to LifeCare Residences, a company specialising in large developments of luxury retirement flats.
In December 2015, the Secretary of State for the Environment granted planning permission for 28 flats along the street frontage of the reservoir site. This included 10 affordable homes and a condition that the remaining 93% of the reservoir land be gifted to the London Wildlife Trust to be managed as a wildlife site with some access for the whole community.
The vast majority of local residents accepted that this was the best available option for the reservoir site, and we were prepared to work with the developer to ensure the best overall outcome. But instead of proceeding with this plan, Linden Wates has sold the site to new owners.
The last remaining undisturbed green open space in West Hampstead, home to one protected species and several ‘at risk’ species, is in the hands of yet another developer.
LifeCare Residences market their three bedroom retirement flats at over £2½ million, hardly an amenity for local residents, and they are exempt from providing affordable homes in their retirement developments.
Linden Wates [the developer that's been submitting plans for the reservoir site for the past few years] has sold the Gondar Gardens reservoir site to LifeCare Residences, a company specialising in large developments of luxury retirement flats.
In December 2015, the Secretary of State for the Environment granted planning permission for 28 flats along the street frontage of the reservoir site. This included 10 affordable homes and a condition that the remaining 93% of the reservoir land be gifted to the London Wildlife Trust to be managed as a wildlife site with some access for the whole community.
The vast majority of local residents accepted that this was the best available option for the reservoir site, and we were prepared to work with the developer to ensure the best overall outcome. But instead of proceeding with this plan, Linden Wates has sold the site to new owners.
The last remaining undisturbed green open space in West Hampstead, home to one protected species and several ‘at risk’ species, is in the hands of yet another developer.
LifeCare Residences market their three bedroom retirement flats at over £2½ million, hardly an amenity for local residents, and they are exempt from providing affordable homes in their retirement developments.