Green Party London Assembly Member Darren Johnson has spoken out against Capco’s redevelopment of Earls Court.
He urged Mayor of London Boris Johnson to direct refusal to the Earl’s Court redevelopment proposals granted planning permission by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea when it is referred to him.
Darren Johnson feels that as well as harming the environment, the redevelopment will damage the local and wider economy from the loss of the Earl’s Court Exhibition centres. He said that the loss of exhibition space would lead to London losing out to competitor nations as they subsidise, expand their event and exhibition space. Most exhibitions held at Earls Court have relocated to Olympia or Excel for future editions.
He also believes the plans will cost jobs. The proposals, given outline consent last year, would, it is hoped, generate around 12,000 new jobs. Darren Johnson has identified over 500 that would be lost in the area, most at the Lillie Bridge Depot.
