Studio to be given new home in Westbourne Green

On Thursday, plans to build 91 small studio spaces across three floors in the building, as well as creating a cafe and exhibition gallery, were given the go-ahead by Westminster Council.

Graffiti is also set to be removed from the canal walls and a number of sculptures are to be installed, to enliven the area under the Westway flyover.

The building currently used by Great Western Studios is soon to become the subject of a Compulsory Purchase Order for new railway link Crossrail, requiring it to be vacated in August this year.

Cllr Alastair Moss, chairman of Westminster Council's planning and city development committee, said: "We're keen to encoaurge the creative industries in Westminster where we have some of the most famous art galleries in the world.

"In addition to these plans benefitting the area by regenerating a disused buildling, there are excellent creative and exciting elements to these proposlas which should delight passers-by and are in keeping with some of the bold and brave architecture which has recently been built in the area, such as Westminster Academy."

Architects Bryden Wood Associates also hope to open up the building to let more natural light into the studios.