Milestone Planning Inquiry to Determine Future of Iconic Art Deco Estate

Dorchester Court Matters, a residents’ group comprising leaseholders and tenants of the historic Dorchester Court estate in Herne Hill, has instructed barristers Anne Williams and Dr Michael Bowes to represent them at a forthcoming public inquiry starting on 11 August. The inquiry will examine highly contested proposals for redevelopment of the estate, which include the addition of rooftop penthouses and substantial alterations to the layout and communal spaces.

This is, in every sense, a David and Goliath battle to save an Art Deco icon. The estate, an exceptional ensemble of 1930s residential buildings listed at Grade II, represents one of the most distinguished surviving examples of the ‘moderne’ movement in London. Originally showcased in the prestigious Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition, Dorchester Court is widely recognised as a site of architectural and cultural importance. Its elegant symmetry, original detailing and historic significance render it a rare and irreplaceable component of Britain’s interwar built heritage.

The residents’ legal case is anchored in the imperative to conserve both the architectural integrity of the listed buildings and the social fabric of the community that resides within them. The proposed development is opposed on the grounds that it would cause irreversible harm to the character of the estate, compromise the amenity of existing residents and result in the effective displacement of a long-standing, diverse and close-knit residential community.

Dorchester Court Matters has received significant public support, including formal backing from the local Member of Parliament, ward councillors and several hundred residents across the borough. This case is expected to be of wide interest to those concerned with heritage protection, and the rights of communities to remain rooted in places of long-established belonging.