The proposal’s height, bulk, and size negatively impact the openness of the area. The development would be inappropriate for the surrounding context: both its public green spaces and low-rise residential suburbs.

Berkeley claim their proposed massing is designed to create a sense of openness within the development.  In reality, cramming 586 homes onto the site necessitates excessive building heights, that breach local planning guidelines.  

The significant volumetric change from the massing undermines not only the character of the development, itself, but impacts the openness of the wider surrounding area. Reducing the number of units would allow for more appropriate heights, while preserving openness both within and beyond the site.

The London Plan (Table 3.2) states “The built form, massing and height of the development should be appropriate for the surrounding context, and it should be shown that alternative arrangements to accommodate the same number of units or bedspaces with a different relationship to the surrounding context have been explored”

Paragraph 3.3.8 states “massing, scale and layout should help make public spaces coherent and should complement the existing streetscape and surrounding area.”