Planning officers have recommended a controversial redevelopment project in Streatham Hill is given approval.
Plans for a major retail and residential complex on the Streatham Megabowl and Caesars site in Streatham Hill will go before the council’s planning applications committee this evening.
In a report to the committee, officers recommended the development of up to nine storeys should be permitted subject to a section 106 agreement to improve transport provision in the area, including a £160,000 upgrade to Streatham Hill station.
The plans have divided the community because of size and scale.
If approved, the plans would see Caesars knocked down along with the buildings between it and the Megabowl. Only the facade of the former bowling alley would be kept.
A building of between two and nine storeys would be built in its place containing 262 flats - some of which will be affordable housing.
A combined retail space of 3,155sq m, a 840sq m theatre and performance area with audience space for 160 people, a courtyard, garden and children's play area, and underground parking for 91 cars are also included in the plans.
The development has support from many business owners in the area who believe the development will attract high street chains in to the larger retail units, which in turn will act as an anchor to bring more shoppers to the area.
Nazim Ali of Streatham Pharmacy, who got together a 700-strong petition in favour of the development to present to the planning department, said the area “could not afford to turn down such major investment in the current economic climate”.
But many residents in close proximity say although they are in favour of a redevelopment of the site, the proposed developments are “too large”, and “more akin to Croydon town centre”.
Streatham Society chair Brian Bloice said all the major organisations representing thousands of residents were against the new plan.
He said if the current proposals go ahead the area "could be blighted for the next 50 years" and "with careful treatment a much needed green oasis could be created with the development to one side of an open square".
He added: "Now is the time to reject this current planning application and to engage in fuller discussions with the developers and the people of Streatham to plan this site for the benefit of future generations of Streatham residents."
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