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Last chance saloon for the Sloane rangers
London’s Sloane Square has become embroiled in a planning row that has wider ramifications for urban public space projects across the UK.
The genteel environs of Chelsea are now a battleground as two schemes to reconfigure the square are pitted against each other. Stanton Williams Architects’ design marks a return to the pre-1930s layout, and will see the introduction of a staggered crossroads and the re-positioning of the Grade II listed war memorial and the fountain. It is the preferred choice of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and has the backing of English Heritage, the Royal Court Theatre and several national newspapers.
Speaking to Vista, project director Gavin Henderson said: “We have great affection for the square and we understand why people are concerned about proposals to change it, but, in reality, a lot of the areas in the square – particularly outside the tube – are very congested and obstructed at the moment.
“In our scheme, when you come out of the tube station, you will immediately be in a generous, car-free space. So, it will greatly enhance the pedestrian routes, but also make the space somewhere that public activity can take place, a place where you’d actually go and want to stay.”
“I don’t think we should be afraid of change in our public spaces: it’s part of how they evolve. In fact, not only was the road layout changed relatively recently in the 1930s, the war memorial was originally located more centrally in the square and was moved to its current position as part of the changes in the Thirties and postwar period.”
However, campaign group Save Sloane Square, which counts high- profile residents such as Bryan Ferry and Sue Lawley among its patrons, has put forward a rival design via its steering committee, the Sloane Square Improvement Group (SSIG).
The scheme by Atkins would retain the current gyratory system and use wider pavements to improve pedestrian access to and from the tube station.
Associate director for public realm Peter Heath said: “The SSIG and their supporters do not agree that the central square is a redundant public space. Is Parliament Square island redundant – or a much cherished location? Many other historic squares have no formal signal or zebra crossing arrangements from edge to middle.
“I was responsible for improvements to Trafalgar Square, which for its life until 2003 was an island connected by a few signal-controlled crossings – most in the wrong places, in the wrong materials or to the wrong priorities. The pedestrian link on the north side nonetheless retained the formal geo-metry of the much-loved Trafalgar Square island and its historic monuments – newly equipped with modern facilities – and put in place a more strident set of contemporary interventions.”
He added: “The team believe the proposed restoration and renovation works in Sloane Square will only increase the central island’s popularity. Indeed, a range of design proposals are intended to make temporary events even easier to stage, including a demountable and attractive design for temporary cover on a modular framework system, suit-able for stalls, seating or indoor events.”
The situation has been further complicated by CABE, which has thrown its support behind the Stanton Williams scheme. A design review statement said: “We think it important that projects like this take place, and offer our qualified support to its courageous approach in the current climate of risk averseness.
“We support the reconfiguration of vehicular routes in the square and the greatly improved pedestrian areas that result. The approach to trees, the new seating, water features and surface materials all make for a much better square for its users.”
A decision will be made following a third and final public consultation, which is due to take place from 28 February until 30 March. Discuss this article
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