'Gardens in the sky' residents fight for listed status

摘要

It is perhaps a sad indictment of the planning system that it is only when buildings are perceived to be under threat that their architectural and historic merits come to the fore. Particularly unsatisfactory is that it is only when proposals for development are received - and often afterthe planning application has been approved - that those looking to "save" the building feel they have resort to alternative strategies such as seeking to get it listed. Such is the position of the proposal involving the total redevelopment of the "gardens in the sky" site at Warwick Road Estate in Kensington, west London, where Kensington & Chelsea council proposes to replace the existing structure with up to 176 new homes and 116 affordable homes. The residents have sought the aid of English Heritage to list the building, which was built between 1972 and 1975 by Arup Associates.