White City development taken over by the Australian firm Multiplex

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Chelsfield, the developers of the massive White City shopping development, has been taken over by the Australian firm Multiplex. The Lib Dems believe this threatens the viability of the development and is yet another example of how residents have no control over the largest shopping development in the borough.

Multiplex is also responsible for the re-building of Wembley Stadium. There are reports that this project is over budget, behind schedule and facing legal difficulties with sub-contractors. These problems currently
do not appear to be affecting the White City Development. However, Lib Dems believe that these difficulties could mean that corners are cut
during construction, changes made to planning restrictions or changes to
the proposed occupants of the shopping centre.

Alan Bullion, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Hammersmith & Fulham
said: "The Lib Dems have always felt that the proposed shopping development was
too big and inappropriate to the area. Instead of meeting the needs of
local residents, the centre will meet the needs of property developers.
Chelsfield at least said they meant to include various elements to the
development that would reduce the negative impacts on residents. It is
possible that Multiplex would see these as costly add-ons that would not
increase the monetary value of the development. Local people would lose
out to the financial dictates of billion pound organisations."

The Lib Dems met with Chelsfield early in the development. They planned
to include various aspects of sustainable development (recycled building
materials, large bicycle provision). In addition there was to be a large
amount of transport improvements. However, all of these could be cut if
Multiplex faces continued financial pressures due to other projects,
increase debt burden, or a down turn in the retail sector.

Alan Bullion continued: "Many promises have been and planning restrictions placed on the
development. But could the Council really refuse to relax restrictions if
Multiplex were to get into trouble? Both Labour and the Conservatives
were desperate to have this development go forward. They could hardly say
no if Mulitplex wanted to change its plans if the alternative was to have
construction come to a halt."

March 20, 2005