Demolition of Chelsea farmers' market to make way for flats slammed as 'senseless vandalism'

Chelsea farmers' market: There is an outcry over the plans

Demolishing the Chelsea farmers’ market to make way for flats would be “senseless vandalism”, say residents and shoppers.

The Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS trust wants to sell the site, off King’s Road, to developers to fund a new specialist respiratory wing.

More than 300 Chelsea residents have objected. Planners are set to make a decision today.

The market is made up of independent businesses in huts around a square, including an organic food store and a pet shop, as well as bars and restaurants.

Visitors include Adele, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Maggie Smith and the stars of reality TV show Made In Chelsea.

Under the plan, the market in Sydney Street would be replaced by four residential blocks up to five storeys high, as well as “high-quality” retail space.

Mohamadreza Sharifi, 65, is a former manager of the market and owns four stalls, including an organic shop where Sir Michael “comes every day to buy cereal”.

Plans: The market would be replaced by flats and shops

He said: “This is a unique little oasis and should be maintained properly and not sold off. I have been here 38 years and this would be a total waste of our lives.

“We have no alternative but to leave if they get permission. It would be a huge development which would destroy King’s Road, which is already over-built.”

In objection, Wangu Chafuwa wrote: “Closing this market would be yet another nail in the coffin for independent traders and local community. Stop this senseless vandalism.”

Hayley Richardson said demolition would be “a travesty”, adding: “Stop making Chelsea another Lego town.”

Some residents have written in support. Douglas Shaw said: “The farmers’ market is a huddle of wooden shacks not befitting the area. We can do better.”

The market has also been earmarked as a possible site for a station for the Crossrail 2 rail route.

If plans are approved the NHS trust wants an extension of 15 years before permission expires — compared with three years normally. The proposed sale would help plug a £2.9 million funding shortfall for the new wing and would be ring-fenced, the trust said.

It said: “We have worked closely with local resident groups to develop these plans, and are extremely grateful for their involvement. A number of revisions to the proposed designs were made as a result of their feedback.”

Kensington and Chelsea council said: “We do not comment on applications ahead of committee meetings.”

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