A huge development including a 36 storey tower was approved by councillors last night.

The Ram Brewery development in Wandsworth Town will create 661 new homes, shops and leisure facilities on the site of a derelict brewery.

Wandsworth Council's planning committee approved the planning application during a planning meeting last night.

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About 50 members of the public crammed into the sweltering council building to watch the plans get approved by all of the Tory councillors, with two Labour councillors objecting.

The approved plan will see the site's Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings restored, including a new micro-brewery and brewing museum.

Public space is also going to be created, while the banks of the River Wandle will be opened up.

During the meeting concerns were raised about the impact the tower will have on the historic site, which includes listed buildings within the town centre conservation area.

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Councillor Tony Belton, opposition councillor, said: "By far the most overwhelming concern is the sky scraper.I think everyone will have to say it totally dominates."

Labour councillor, Councillor Billi Randall, also noted the tower would not be in keeping with the council's own police on no buildings over five storeys in the area.

She said: "It does not just go through a little bit but it basically breaks that all together.

"I would like to see the policies kept to, they are made for a reason they all to often tossed to a side."

But Councillor Michael Ryder said: "It will make a magnificent statement, and I think we would just be in danger if we said no to this.

"I think the idea of opening up the River Wandle is fantastic. How many people have actually seen it?

"Big doesn't have to mean bad, and I think I just have to stand up for this development."

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Councillor Nick Cuff, Wandsworth Council’s planning chairman, said:  "The brewery site forms a gaping hole in the very centre of Wandsworth Town, surrounded by walls, locked gates and derelict buildings.

"This development would open it up as a new pedestrian quarter complete with riverside walks, public square and fantastic heritage attractions like a museum and micro-brewery."

The developers will pay about £16.5m in community infrastructure levy (CIL) which is hoped will be used to redesign the Wandsworth gyratory.

An original planning application, given permission in 2008, included two towers, 1,000 apartments and 200,000 square feet of retail space,

But a government appointed planning inspector turned it down in February 2009, with developers Minerva revising the plans to include only one tower.


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