ECDC launches a vision to bring the wonder back to Earls Court alongside a public consultation on emerging priorities for the site

• The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) has set out to have a bold and ambitious vision to bring the wonder back to Earls Court alongside four priorities for the site.
• It has now launched a major public consultation to seek views on how these priorities can be incorporated into a new masterplan for the circa 40-acre former Exhibition Centre site.
• A series of public events, drop-in sessions and webinars will be arranged over the next 18 months, as the masterplan evolves in discussions with the whole community.
• This consultation is the next phase of an ongoing engagement with residents, and follows the successful meanwhile and temporary events, London Wonderground and ‘The Pleasure Garden’.

The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) has set out to have a bold and ambitious vision to bring the wonder back to Earls Court alongside four priorities for the site, which reflect on 18 months’ work undertaken to understand the local area including thousands of virtual and face to face conversations.  It has now launched a public consultation seeking views on how these priorities can be incorporated into the new masterplan for the 40-acre former Exhibition Centre site in Earls Court.

For 150 years Earls Court has been known as a global showcase for innovation, entertainment and achievement. Internationally renowned, it was a source of national and local pride, supporting jobs and investment and helping local business to thrive. This was all lost when the site was left as an empty void after the Exhibition Centres were demolished and it is now a physical barrier between communities.

The consultation forms part of an extensive programme of ongoing discussions, events and feedback throughout the masterplanning process. The new masterplan could deliver up to 4,800 homes and support in excess of 12,000 new jobs. It will reflect the seismic changes which are continuing to impact how we all live, work and spend time. This consultation will give local communities the opportunity to shape how the site comes back into life at every stage.

Speaking about the launch of the public consultation, Rob Heasman, CEO of ECDC said:

‘With the demolition of the Exhibition Centres, there is a strong desire locally to see greater activity at Earls Court. We hope to restore its reputation as a destination for entertainment, innovation and achievement, by bringing the wonder back to Earls Court. This is an exciting time for the community, and we look forward to continuing our conversations with neighbours, residents and others over the coming months.’

This is not the ‘start’ of consultation by ECDC but is informed by 18 months’ of work to understand the area including thousands of virtual and face to face conversations.  As a result, ECDC has identified four priorities for the site:

• Open up the former exhibition centre site to the public for the first time in 150 years, giving back to local communities.
• Build a showground of world class ingenuity, celebrating its legacy and history.
• Create a better piece of city, a blueprint for future generations.
• Addressing the climate emergency, an ambition to go beyond net-zero. 

The consultation will seek views on how to implement these priorities and ask what local communities would most like to see come forward on the site. More information on the emerging designs will be shared in early 2022.

A series of in-person public exhibitions and online meetings have been arranged on the following dates:

• Saturday 4 December, Public Exhibition: St Cuthbert’s Church, SW5 9EB: 10am – 1pm
• Tuesday 7 December, Webinar: 6 – 7:30pm
• Saturday 11 December, Public Exhibition: Normand Croft Community School, W14 9PA: 10am – 1pm
• Saturday 8 January, Public Exhibition: Every Nation Church, W14 9LP: 10am – 1pm
• Saturday 15 January, Public Exhibition: Earls Court Youth Centre, SW10 9AF: 10am – 1pm