After years of standing empty, Putney’s landmark Star and Garter building could finally be revived — but not before Wandsworth’s Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee (CHAC) has its say.
At their meeting next week, committee members will review the recently approved plans to convert the iconic riverside building into new residential flats with a café and wine bar.
The Star and Garter, long a distinctive feature along the Thames, has remained vacant despite multiple failed redevelopment attempts, including an abandoned plan to turn it into a luxury hotel. Its boarded windows and peeling facade became a symbol of frustration for Putney residents, who feared the building might be lost forever.
The CHAC is expected to note their broad support for the newly approved scheme but raise further observations about key heritage details, including the treatment of the building’s historic oval windows and the design consistency of its entrances.
Although formal permission has already been granted under delegated powers, the committee’s comments will still feed into conditions and detailed monitoring as the project moves forward. Meeting papers highlight that while the Star and Garter’s exterior character will largely be preserved, concerns remain about ensuring “the height of the top storey” does not adversely impact neighbouring properties facing the south elevation.
The approved redevelopment plans involve sensitive roof extensions at the fourth and fifth floor levels, including the addition of a dome feature on the eastern end of the building. Internal changes will create eight residential units across the upper floors, while the ground floor will be converted into a café and wine bar aimed at revitalizing the building’s connection to the riverfront. Basement areas will house cycle storage, a private gym for residents, and plant rooms. Local groups, including the Putney Society, have welcomed the prospect of reactivating the building but stressed the importance of retaining its key historic features.
Other Putney Heritage Matters on the Committee Agenda
Alongside the Star and Garter review, several other Putney-related planning matters are due for discussion:
- 29 St Johns Avenue, SW15:
A proposal to add a dormer roof extension, enlarge the basement, and construct a garage-style side extension is facing unanimous objection from the committee. Members are expected to argue that the designs would “damage and detract from a notable historical development” in Putney. St Johns Avenue is one of the earliest examples of Victorian suburban expansion following the arrival of the railway, and committee members have stressed that modern alterations must respect its historic character. - 13 Dealtry Road, SW15:
More minor alterations are proposed here, including the addition of a side dormer, new rooflights, and the replacement of timber sash windows. Although smaller in scale, the committee is likely to urge careful material choices and insist that any replacements match the existing traditional appearance, to maintain the area’s historic feel.
The meeting comes as heritage groups across Wandsworth continue to push for stronger protections for the borough’s historic fabric, particularly in the face of growing development pressure.
