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Warner Music not happy about property development next door

By | Published on Monday 27 November 2017

Warner Music

Warner Music isn’t happy about plans to redevelop the building next to its London HQ in Kensington. The major label, reckons that extensive building work will disrupt its operations, in particular the work of its newish content production and studio set-up Firepit.

Proposed extensions to the neighbouring property will also impact on Warner Music’s main UK base – which was previously the offices of the old EMI Group – even beyond the building work itself, says the major.

As the planning committee of Kensington & Chelsea Council last week prepared to consider the redevelopment proposals of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, which owns the neighbouring retail and office complex, a spokesperson for Warner told the Standard: “We’re objecting to this planning application as it will significantly impact our business”.

Planning consultants for the company added: “There is potential for the proposed development to harm the business activities of WM through inappropriate levels of noise and vibration during the demolition and construction phases”.

While, on the longer term impact, Warner went on: “The current proposed development will reduce the light coming into our building which, with its glass facade, was specifically designed to benefit from it. This would alter the ways in which we could use the building, including the hosting of showcase performances from artists”.

The major is also telling the local authority that it might be forced to move away from the borough if the redevelopment goes ahead as proposed, possibly following the slow shift of various UK music businesses to the Kings Cross area. The major concluded: “We’ve been a significant employer in the borough since the 80s, but we would be forced to consider our position if this application is approved”.



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