News on 20 December 2000
Although it has yet to select a property partner, the BBC
is pushing ahead with detailed plans for a ‘media village’ at
its White City site in West London.
The Corporation has submitted a planning application to Hammersmith and
Fulham Council for over 131,000 sq m of accommodation in eight new buildings,
to be developed around the existing White City building, just a few hundreds
yards from BBC Television Centre, on land currently used for car parking
(see drawings).
It
is hoped the plan will contribute to the re-generation of White City,
already the focus of a large shopping development. The BBC wants to give
the public local access to its services and information, and will also
be providing space for a commercially-run leisure centre and some retail
outlets. Amenities will be available to the local community, as well as
BBC staff, and are expected to attract people to the area.
John Smith, Director of Finance and Business Affairs at the BBC says:
“With the proposed new shopping centre at Shepherds Bush, Wood Lane
is undergoing a transformation. We want to help that process by giving
people reasons to visit us, to feel the thrill of a lively broadcasting
centre and enjoy the facilities of a thriving neighbourhood.”
The planning application includes detailed designs for three of the eight
new buildings:
- A new broadcasting centre for television transmission
- A central office building for BBC programme makers
- An energy centre, providing mechanical and electrical services to the entire site
The
other five buildings will be a ‘gateway’, to give focus to the
site and accommodate the main BBC reception; a leisure centre, to be run
by a commercial partner; two office buildings and a music centre. The
original White City building will be modified in keeping with the rest
of the development. The new office buildings will provide space for media
companies who already have close links with the BBC and who want to locate
nearer the organisation – creating a “media village” in
the heart of the community.
Pam Masters, Director of Broadcasting and Presentation said: “This
is a really exciting time for us. We are in a highly demanding, constantly
evolving business and need a building which can cope with the challenge.
The new broadcasting centre will do just that and I am delighted we have
taken a step closer to the move.”
The BBC has shortlisted two consortia to manage its £500m property
portfolio (see News story). The 2020
Consortium includes Trillium/Land Securities; the Foresite Consortium
members are Amey Ventures Ltd, Barclays Private Equity Ltd and Arrowcroft
Group plc. The Corporation expects to appoint a preferred bidder by February
next year.
The proposed development has been designed by architects Allies and Morrison,
in association with the BBC Property team, and will be completed in 2007.
A spokesperson said that the BBC had to progress its plans ahead of appointing
a property partner to ensure that new accommodation was available. The
Corporation originally had to vacate Bush House by 2005, since extended
to 2008. The spokesperson said that the two shortlisted consortia were
being kept fully informed of the BBC’s proposals and knew the level
of investment required.
