Campaigners against a major redevelopment in Streatham Hill have unveiled alternative plans for the site.
Friends of Streatham Hill (Fosh) oppose the size and scale of the residential and retail redevelopment of the Megabowl and Caesar’s site, proposed by developer Glentoran.
The group believe a smaller, more retail led development would bring more benefit to the area than Glentoran’s more residential centre.
A retail architect from the campaign group has drawn up an alternative scheme it intends to present to Lambeth Council planners.
Fosh’s plans include a 18,000 sq ft anchor store - that the campaigners anticipate would be a quality supermarket - and a 180 space shoppers' car park.
It also features a number of units larger than most in Streatham High Road to attract high street clothing or furniture stores.
Fosh chairman Rod Pearson said: “Glentoran’s plans are too residential and will not bring as much benefit to the local area as this alternative development.”
He said the plans were in line with the suggestions of the Streatham Masterplan - Lambeth Council’s blueprint for the area - that the site would be best developed for retail.
But question marks have been raised over whether a more retail led scheme would be financially viable.
Streatham Society chair Brian Bloice said while the plans were interesting, they would not appeal to developers financially, as residential developments provided greater profits.
Glentoran wants to build some 243 flats on top of a row of smaller shops, while Fosh’s plans only include 140 homes.
Lambeth’s planning committee will decide whether to approve Glentoran’s revised plans for the site – the fifth to be unveiled in the past three years – on April 20.
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